Understanding Tics in Children and Young People.

If your child has started making sudden movements or sounds they can’t seem to control, you’re not alone—and neither are they. These are called tics, and they’re more common than many people realise.

What are tics?

Tics are brief, involuntary movements or sounds that happen repeatedly. They can come and go, change over time, and are often influenced by things like stress, excitement, or tiredness. Importantly, tics are not done on purpose.

From a brain perspective, tics are thought to be linked to a small “misfiring” in an area called the basal ganglia—a part of the brain that helps control movement and habits. You can think of tics a bit like a brain hiccup: a signal gets sent when it’s not needed, leading to a movement or sound.

Many children also notice a build-up feeling—like an itch, pressure, or urge—that is only relieved when the tic happens. Trying to hold tics in can be very uncomfortable and tiring.

Different types of tics

Tics are usually grouped into two main categories:

• Motor tics (movements)

  Examples include blinking, shoulder shrugging, head jerking, or more complex movements involving several body parts.

• Vocal tics (sounds)

  These might include throat clearing, sniffing, humming, or occasionally words or phrases.

Tics can also be:

• Simple (short, quick, involving one muscle group or sound)

• Complex (longer, more coordinated, or involving patterns of movement or speech)

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How we support tics: The CBIT approach

One of the most effective, evidence-based therapies for tics is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

CBIT doesn’t aim to “stop” tics completely. Instead, it helps children:

• Become more aware of their tics and the sensations that come before them

• Learn a competing response—a gentle, alternative movement that makes the tic harder to perform

• Understand and reduce triggers where possible (like stress or fatigue)

• Build confidence and reduce the impact tics have on daily life

  
  

It also supports parents in responding calmly and consistently, which can make a big difference in reducing pressure on the child.

A reassuring note

Tics often change over time, and for many children, they reduce as they grow older. With the right understanding and support, children with tics can thrive, feel confident, and be fully themselves.