One of my lovely boys came this morning. He has Tourettes and had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder though he appears to be largely growing out of the latter. I have been seeing him for several years at about two monthly intervals both to help with coping with his Tourettes but also to help him deal with a rather stressed family life. Tourettes is a tic disorder and for him means involuntary body movements particularly when stressed or tired. This can be seriously embarrassing in school – even though it was well managed by medication. When I first met him – he was referred by his paediatrician at 12– he was a timid, rather wimpy boy who was anxious about school, largely friendless and totally dependent on his father, who, amongst other things, ensured that C.J. took his medication. His father was wonderful but highly protective of his son. Over time, C.J. has learned to trust me, as has his father. We reached the point where I was advising Father that he must help his son towards independence and planning how they could organise trips to town, how C.J could learn about going on buses and how to ask for help when he was lost. Father was persuaded to allow C.J. out for bike rides with his friends. We talked about him making his own mind up about friendships and ethical issues, we encouraged him to think about a future. Last year after exams he left school for College – and blossomed immediately. I am not sure this was despite or because he was placed in a group for slower learners. Normally we don’t really offer appointments to children after they leave school, but we do see them through the transition period, and, in this case, I wanted to continue working with the paediatrician. He had always largely disliked school and although he was nervous about the new setting, timetables etc, he began to thrive. There was a minor hiccup when C.J. decided that College didn’t suit him either but that was easily overcome. This morning C.J. came clutching a gift that he has bought for his girl-friend’s mother. The relationship is several months old now and he is proud and happy. He was much more keen to talk about his music. Last year he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, bought one and practised. He sounds super – in October he brought the guitar in to play to me, today he showed me clips on his phone. Not only does he now play pop songs I recognise, but it sounds like music, it flows. And he is part of a group with plans to play in public and an understanding and acceptance that his voice is not good enough for him to lead the band. He has grown-up well. He came by himself and was going on to meet friends. He is confident about his present – although he has not made plans for a future-, plays football for a team, and is looking forward to starting a music course in September. He seems to have adjusted to the vagaries of his particular family, his tics are largely under control. Talking to him was a pleasure, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
