Ever seen a kid blink way too much, sniffle non-stop when they’re not sick, or jerk their head like something’s bothering them? That might be a tic disorder. It’s like the brain’s remote control is acting up — sending extra “GO!” signals that make their body move or make sounds without them wanting to. It’s kind of like a sneeze: you feel it coming, but you can’t stop it.
About 1 in 5 kids will have some kind of tic at some point. Most grow out of it, but for others, it sticks around longer and might need more support.
Kids with tics aren’t being difficult. Their brain just works a little differently. The part that controls movement (called the basal ganglia) gets flooded with “GO” messages from brain chemicals like dopamine. The “STOP” signals don’t come in strong enough. It’s like the traffic lights in their brain are stuck on green. This can make their body move or make sounds they can’t control.
Tics often get worse with stress, excitement, or being tired. Even talking about tics can make them show up more! Tics usually start between ages 5 and 7. Boys are more likely to have them than girls. Doctors still don’t know exactly why some kids get tics, but it often runs in families. It’s NOT caused by bad parenting, too much screen time, or food allergies — though some kids may find certain things make tics worse.
What Tics Look Like
Motor tics (body movements):
- Simple: blinking, nose twitching, shoulder shrugging
- Complex: jumping, touching things, making faces
Vocal tics (sounds):
- Simple: throat clearing, grunting, coughing
- Complex: repeating words (their own or others’), saying unexpected things
Tics can change over time. A kid might have one for a few weeks, then it disappears and a new one shows up. Sometimes they go away completely for a while and then come back. Kids often feel a weird urge or tension right before a tic happens — like a “build-up” feeling. Trying to hold in a tic feels like holding back a sneeze or a volcano.
A lot of kids with tics also have other things going on, like ADHD (trouble focusing), anxiety, or OCD (feeling the need to do things in a certain way).
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Helping Your Child Thrive
The good news is most tic disorders don’t need treatment. If the tics aren’t bothering your child, it’s often best to leave them alone. Telling your child to “Stop blinking!” or punishing them makes it worse. It adds stress, and stress makes tics louder.
Here’s what you can do instead:
- Keep home a calm, safe place
- Let teachers know about the tics so they understand
- Ask for simple school supports: short breaks, extra time on tests, and avoiding calling attention to tics
Stick to routines, make sure your child gets enough sleep, and help them enjoy fun things like sports, art, or playtime. These can all help lower stress, which helps with tics.
If the tics are causing pain, getting your child teased, or making it hard to learn, talk to a doctor — usually a pediatrician or neurologist. They might suggest:
CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics):
This teaches your child how to notice the feeling before a tic and do a “competing” action (like relaxing instead of jerking). It helps many kids!
Medication:
Used only in more serious cases. Some medicines can calm the brain’s overactive signals. But they can have side effects, so doctors use them carefully.
Treating other issues:
Helping with ADHD, anxiety, or OCD can also make tics better.
Most of all, show your child love and support. Tell them, “It’s not your fault. We’re in this together.” Help them build confidence by cheering them on in other areas — kindness, creativity, sports, anything they enjoy. You can also connect with other families online or locally. It helps to know you’re not alone.
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FAQ
Q: Are tics a sign of autism?
A: Not usually. Tic disorders and autism are different, though some kids have both.
Q: Do vaccines cause tics?
A: No. Big studies show there’s no link between vaccines and tic disorders like Tourette’s.
Q: Can my child go to a regular school?
A: Yes! Most kids with tics do great in regular classrooms. Let the teacher know. Small adjustments really help.
Q: Will my child outgrow this?
A: Many do! Tics often fade by the late teens. Even if they stay, most people learn how to manage them.
Q: What foods make tics worse?
A: No food has been proven to cause tics. But some parents notice sugar or caffeine might make tics worse. Keeping a food-and-tic diary can help.
Q: Is this Tourette Syndrome?
A: Tourette’s is a type of tic disorder. Doctors call it that when a child has both motor AND vocal tics for more than a year. Many kids have tics that don’t meet the full Tourette’s definition.
