Facial Tics?

Good Evening! My son’s autism evaluation got moved to February, I had noticed that he does make a lot of odd faces that makes it look like he cannot control them. It seems the older he gets the more noticeable and frequent the expressions are. For example, he will be in the middle of walking down the stairs, playing, etc… he will suddenly close eyes and straighten his mouth in a line showing a little teeth almost biting down throwing his hands out with his fingers spread that last for a few seconds to a minute before going back to doing whatever activity. It is not only this facial expression but others. I had never even thought that about the random expressions burst being facial tics. My question is this normal for someone showing signs of having autism or to even consider that they are possible tics? I had also been curious if I should document videos of behaviors and movements like this to show to the specialists during his appointment?

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Ah, sorry to hear it got pushed back :/ from what I've read, the short answer is that tics are common among individuals with autism. That said, not every individual with tics has autism. I'm sure documenting it/having more info won't hurt.

@Marian thank you! I hoping we get answers soon. My husband thinks I am over reacting but I am just concerned bc when he was younger it was just the tensing, hurting himself, sensory issues, and being nonverbal. Now he has started to scratch himself, the uncontrolled tensing has turned into possible facial tics on top of the tensing, sensory issues, more texture issues, he’s still non verbal, and now he gets upset having outburst when he wants to isolate himself in his room, and he has started biting his finger to the point he leaves teeth marks.when we interfere trying to divert his attention, it makes it worse. He is only two years old.

I think you're definitely right to be concerned and it's best to get the conversations going early. At the same time, it's hard to get a conclusive diagnosis when they're so young. I would recommend looking into ABA therapy. It is a game changer, especially when kids start early

My son has had them since he was 7 but we didn't get him diagnosed for till he was like 11 years old. I didn't even know then he had the tics. We just thought it was a weird quirk of his (I always assumed he was autistic but long story short, didn't find out for sure till later). Anyways. He started getting more prominent facial tics and we looked into it and dr put him on meds which has helped lesson them. However, rule of thumb is, if he's had them less then a year, he could grow out of them. If it's longer than a year, more than likely he has tourettes (tics are common in people with autism but can happen without as well. My son and my oldest daughter both have it and my daughter has officially been diagnosed with tourettes). Helping to figure out what makes them happen more is good. What are the triggers and stresses. Once you find that out, it's easier to help with then! I think the difference between him and my daughter is his doesn't seem to have a trigger and my daughter does!

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