Originally Posted by
unsureoffuture 
My daughter also has a tic disorder so I understand completely. She is 8 and has had them since age 2. They come and go. She also has that same shoulder head turning one along with a bunch more. I know exactly how you feel. I worry about kids making fun of her. None seem to yet but I'm sure it's coming. It sounds like your son has handled it pretty well all these years. You are doing all the right things with your alanon tools. We have no control over the tics and no matter how hard we try, we can't fix it for them. The neurologist told me most kids will outgrow it by adulthood and those that don't learn how to manage and suppress them to some degree. Your son is perfect the way he is meant to be. Turn it over to your HP. I just wanted you to know you are not alone. I have all of the same worries you do.
Big hugs to you! My son hasn't had a tic free day since he turned 9, it was like a biological switch was turned on. If kids ask him, he just tells them it's Tourette's because they seem more familiar with it than saying 'tic disorder'. Some kinds immediately think of 'ticks' and wonder what the heck a blood sucking bug has to do with strange body movements.
One thing we did realize, and something for you to think about in the future, is that certain things trigger his tics. For instance, when he gets his braces tightened it triggers jaw tics or mouth tics for him. He was the first to recognize that as a trigger, and once the teeth settle down the tic settles down for him, as well. Also, stress is the biggest trigger! Both good and bad stress, too. He also tics more when his allergies are bugging him and also when there is a full moon. No joke, full moons make him tic more, LOL!
So, we've learned some of the triggers and he loves taking epsom salts baths when things are bad: doesn't decrease the tics but gives relief through transdermal magnesium and just the bath itself relaxes him. We also tried supplements like magnesium and B vitamins, among other things but never really saw much change.