Tic facts for kids

A tic is a sudden body movement or sound that a person makes without meaning to. It's like your body does something on its own, and you can't easily stop it. For example, someone might blink their eyes a lot, shrug their shoulders, or clear their throat over and over. Even if they try really hard, it's tough to make a tic go away completely. It's a bit like when you have an itch; you know you shouldn't scratch, but sometimes you just have to!

Tics are not usually harmful, and they are quite common, especially in children.

What Are Tics?

Tics can be different types. They are usually grouped into two main kinds:

• Motor tics: These are movements of the body.

* Examples: blinking eyes, shrugging shoulders, head jerking, nose twitching, or even more complex movements like touching things.

• Phonic tics: These are sounds that a person makes.

* Examples: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, humming, or saying certain words or phrases.

Sometimes, tics can be simple, like a quick blink. Other times, they can be more complex, involving several movements or sounds together.

How Common Are Tics?

Tics are very common in children. About 4 to 12 out of every 100 children experience tics at some point. They often appear when children are between 5 and 10 years old.

• Boys vs. Girls: Tics are more common in boys than in girls. About three times more boys have tics than girls do.
• Temporary Tics: For most children, tics are temporary. This means they usually don't last very long, often less than six months. These are called "transient tics."
• Family History: Sometimes, tics can run in families, meaning if a parent or close relative had tics, a child might be more likely to have them too.

Living With Tics

Having tics can sometimes be a bit tricky, but it's important to remember that tics are not anyone's fault. People with tics are just like anyone else.

• Understanding Tics: Learning about tics can help kids and their families understand them better. It's important to know that tics are not done on purpose.
• When Tics Get Worse: Tics can sometimes get worse when a person is stressed, tired, or excited. They might also change over time, with new tics appearing and old ones going away.

How Are Tics Treated?

Most tics are mild and go away on their own, so they don't need special treatment. However, if tics are bothering a child or making it hard for them to do things, there are ways to help.

• Behavior Therapy: This is often the first and best way to help with tics. A special type of therapy called "Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics" (CBIT) teaches kids how to notice when a tic is coming and how to do a different movement or sound instead. It's like learning a new skill to manage the tic.
• Medication: In some cases, if tics are very severe and cause a lot of problems, doctors might suggest medication. These medicines can help reduce how often or how strongly tics happen. This is usually only considered when other treatments haven't worked well enough.

It's always a good idea for a child with tics to see a doctor or a specialist who understands tics. They can help figure out the best way to support the child.

See also

In Spanish: Tic para niños