I kept meaning to respond to this question and time got away from me. My healthy, intelligent, athletic, witty 14 year old son has Tourettes Syndrome. I preface his diagnosis with his wonderful traits for a reason. :) I think it is easy for people to say, "Oh he is just being a six year old." But I think if he is telling you he simply can't help himself, you need to listen. Tourettes (in my son's case anyways), doesn't prevemnt him from doing anything any other "normal" 14 year old wants to do. But I don't recommend sitting next to him during an over stimulating loooong movie as he will drive you NUTS!
All kidding aside. When Hudson was 6 1/2 we were sitting as a family having dinner and all of a sudden he did this 45 second succession of the strangest movements, tics and sounds I have ever seen. I really believe it was the Lord saying, "Look at your son! Pay attention! Ask questions!" We brought him to a neurologist and walked away with the label of Tourettes. Scary! But after doing some research it all made sense.
Tics that wax and wane, both verbal and motor: throat clearing, shrugging his shoulders, sniffles, were his first repetitive movements.
ADHD/ADD: Yup. Textbook case.
Touch sensitive: Hated overalls, tags, scratchy clothes. But at the same time needs to be soothed with touch. (at 14 he still asks me to rub his back sometimes)
OCD: He has gone through things like obsessively tying and retying his shoes, adjusting his nutcup in baseball over and over and over, the volume on the TV or radio has to be on an even number but NOT divisible by three, asking what time it is ALL THE TIME, etc.
I am NOT saying that is what your son has. However, if he does, it really isnt a big deal. Really. I can live with cutting tags out of clothes. Only a small percentage of people ever move to the Calling Out Obscenities phase. Tourettes presents itself at age 6 or 7 and is more prevalant in boys. Pay attention, do some research, if anything get the official diagnosis and use that to your benefit in the school system. In Minnesota Hudson is covered under the Other Health Disorders category and it has been so helpful in getting him through school. Who wouldnt want someone to help organize their day? Shoot....sign me up!!! Fear of the unknown is worse in my eyes. OOOOhhhhh....and Concerta is a stimulant that causes tics. So if he DOES have Tourettes you probably dont want him on that anyways. I guess what I am saying is go to the Dr. :)
Ok, I am done babbling. I would be happy to chat with you if you want. Let me know how everything goes! ____@____.com