Hi, in addition to my 9 yr old I posted about I also have a 7 yr old boy on Concerta. Shortly after he started it (Aug 2004), he began doing this eye-blinking thing. At first it looked like a vision problem (he only did at the computer or when reading). We ruled out vision and allergy, and the eye doctor acted like I was nuts. I couldn't get much from our care provider about tics, and it did go away after a couple of months.

I haven't seen anything in the meantime, but last Saturday afternoon my son suddenly began doing this thing with the left side of his face, sort of winking his left eye and scrunching up the left side of his face. He couldn't explain it, though a couple of days later he mentioned he'd been bumped in the eye on his friend's trampoline. He stopped doing it mid week and I forgot about it. Yesterday it was going on all day, in groups of three, pretty constantly. At this point I believe it is a tic.

WE skipped the concerta today and gave him some short-acting adderall to get through a lunch activity; he's doing it less than last night but still doing it. I hate to send him to school doing this.

Anyway, I know there is some evidence of methylphenidate exacerbating tics, but I've also seen some controversy on this. Does anyone have experience here or advice? There is no way he can get through school without medication.

Of course, I will get him seen by our (new and better) doctor ASAP, but I doubt I can get in right away since he isn't actually sick.
Thanks
S

Adderall can exacerbate tics as well. See if he does it when his Adderall wears off this evening. It is possible that he will do it with the same frequency regardless of stimulant use anyway.

Best wishes.