Should I be concerned about my 10 year old son?

Q. My husband (42 years) has Huntington’s disease. Since March he is unable to work. We have 2 sons (10 and 12 years).

By chance I filmed my younger son during our holiday while running at the beach. He makes clear choreatic movements with hands and arms. I never noticed that before. However, when I saw this, it all came together. He has getting worse in school (within the last 3 years). He Is decreasing. He gets more and more ‘difficult’ as personality. His language changed, he stutters or if he feels cornered (in dispute with me) then he mumbles that I hardly understand what he says. Should I introduce him to a doctor or isn’t that beneficial at all? What shall I do?

Gaby, young adult, Germany

A. Dear Gabi,

Thanks for your email. It sometimes happens that people can develop HD as children or teenagers. I think it would be a good idea to have him reviewed by a specialist. If things are not going so well at school then it’s a good idea to get a check up from a specialist. It seems that your local HD centre is in Erlanden - you can see the details on EuroHD’s page here.

Yours sincerely

Hugh Rickards