Clinical Portal 2026 Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Tics in Children

Tics are involuntary; blame, teasing, and repeated correction are not helpful.

Parent Guide Draft

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)

Tics often wax and wane. Many tics improve with time, but persistent, painful, distressing, or impairing tics should be reviewed.

What parents should know

Tics are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that a child does not fully control. They commonly start in school-age children and may come and go.

This guide cannot diagnose tic disorders, Tourette syndrome, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, seizures, or other neurological conditions.

What parents may notice

  • Eye blinking, facial movements, shoulder shrugging, or head movements.
  • Throat clearing, sniffing, clicking, or other sounds.
  • Tics increasing with stress, tiredness, excitement, or attention.
  • A child may briefly suppress tics but feel uncomfortable.

What can contribute?

  • Tics are related to brain movement-control pathways and can run in families. Stress does not cause all tics but can worsen them.

Practical home support

Reduce pressure around the tic. Support the child's confidence and everyday function.
  • Do not scold or repeatedly ask the child to stop.
  • Protect sleep and reduce avoidable stress.
  • Inform teachers so the child is not punished or teased.
  • Track triggers only if it helps and does not make the child self-conscious.
  • Seek review if tics affect school, mood, pain, sleep, or social life.

Red flags / when to seek medical review

Seek medical review promptly if any concerning features occur:
  • Sudden severe movements, injury, pain, loss of awareness, or possible seizures.
  • Developmental regression, new weakness, abnormal walking, or other neurological symptoms.
  • Severe anxiety, obsessive symptoms, bullying, major distress, or school impairment.

Important facts for parents

  • Tics are not deliberate misbehaviour.
  • Attention to tics can sometimes make them more frequent.
  • Avoid promising cure; focus on support and review when needed.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide does not replace medical consultation, diagnosis, examination, or individualized treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Seek urgent care for red-flag symptoms. Final clinical use requires clinician review.

References

  1. Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). Guidelines for Parents: behavioural, school, adolescent and child-care topics.
  2. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info parent fact sheets.
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org parent guidance.
  4. World Health Organization. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and adolescent health resources.

Last reviewed: 13 May 2026. Status: draft, pending clinician review.

Medical review and references

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed2026-06-05

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesIndian Academy of Pediatrics parent guidance; Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne Kids Health Info parent fact sheets; American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org parent guidance; World Health Organization adolescent health, physical activity and sedentary behaviour resources.

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.