8 year old female, 4 months ago has started face twitching / mouth opening, eye blinking, shoulder shrugging. often clears throat. recent cold, continues with forceful cough 3 weeks later. is this the onset of tourrettes?

The onset of facial twitching, blinking, shoulder shrugging may represent a complex tic. The presence of her motor tics and throat clearing may be indicative of Tourrettes tic disorder. A Pediatric Neurologist is recommended for further evaluation. Her chronic cough should also be evaluated but is not likely to be related to a tic disorder. It is more likely caused by bronchospasm or bronchitis.

All of these certainly sound like a childhood tic disorder. It is possible Tourette’s, but many childhood tics are transient and may not be lifetime. The cough could be part of the tic disorder even if it started with a cold. Please discuss with your child’s pediatrician and likely will be referred to a pediatric neurologist.