Understanding Tics in Children

Welcome to the BrainX Movement breakdown of Tics and the symptoms.

Tics Doesn't have to Define Your Child

This article aims to explore Tics signs, diagnosis, the traditional methods of support and the BrainX method to supporting children.

Tics are sudden, rapid, repetitive movements or sounds that children make involuntarily. Tics can be classified into different types based on their duration and severity, including chronic tic disorder and provisional tic disorder. They are fairly common in childhood, typically first appearing around age 5, though they can occasionally start in adulthood[. While tics are usually not serious and often improve over time, they can be frustrating for children and interfere with daily activities.

What are Tics and Tourette Syndrome?

Tics are unintentional, fast, and repetitive muscle movements that result in sudden and difficult to control body jolts or sounds. They can be classified into two main types:

Motor tics: These affect body movement and can include actions like blinking, wrinkling the nose, grimacing, or jerking the head.
Vocal (phonic) tics: These result in sounds such as coughing, grunting, sniffing, or repeating words or phrases.

Tics often start with an unpleasant sensation that builds up in the body until relieved by the tic – known as an urge. While they can sometimes be partly suppressed, they tend to worsen if focused on or discussed.

The BrainX way of supporting children with Tics

Addressing the cause not supporting the symptoms.

By truly understanding the brain’s developmental process, BrainX categorically believes that Tics are not a life sentence and through movement, exercise, nutrition and education all behaviours can be

reversed we....

Offer no medication
Assess for Retained Primitive Reflexes
Assess for Hemispheric Imbalances
Assess for Sensory Dysfunctions

& offer exercises and movement programs to rebalance the neurological foundations, helping our children thrive.

The Major Neurological Milestones...

Through our research and clinical practice, we repeatedly see these major neurological milestones as the causality of Tics:

Unintegrated Moro Reflex, ATNR , Spinal Galant reflex, TLR, STNR, Palmer Reflex, Rooting Reflex, Babinski Reflex & Landau Reflex coupled with dysfunctional Breathing, sensory delays (in particular

vestibular and proprioception) & dysfunctional movement patterns.

Learn more about Primitive Reflexes, and how they need to be 'turned off' >

Signs and Symptoms of Motor Tics

Common indicators of tics in children include:

Sudden, brief movements like eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, or head jerking
Repetitive sounds such as throat clearing, sniffing, or grunting
Worsening of tics during times of stress, anxiety, or excitement
The ability to suppress tics temporarily, but with increasing discomfort
Tics that change in type, frequency, and severity over time
The importance of monitoring a child's tics and consulting a doctor if they become problematic or if there are concerns regarding their frequency and nature

Age-specific manifestations:

In younger children, simple motor tics like eye blinking are often the first to appear
As children get older, more complex tics or vocal tics may develop
Tics are typically most severe between ages 8-12, often improving after puberty[9]

Causes and Risk Factors of Chronic Tic Disorder

The exact cause of tics is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute:

Epi Genetic factors: Tics often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component
Neurological differences: Changes in the parts of the brain that control movement are thought to play a role
Environmental influences: Stress, anxiety, and fatigue can exacerbate tics
Other potential causes:

Certain medications or illegal drugs
Rarely, underlying conditions like cerebral palsy or Huntington’s disease
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): These conditions frequently coexist with tics, necessitating thorough evaluations to identify and manage any associated mental health issues.

Treatment Options

Below is the traditional thought process of treatment options. It is completely outdated. We have successfully treated many children with Tics - by firstly addressing Retained Primitive Reflexes, then Sensory Dysfunctions, in particular eye tracking, audio and breathing and finally postural, stability and coordination dysfunction. Then behaviour and occupational therapies then become really effective.

Treatment for tics is not always necessary, especially if they are mild. However, around 20% of patients experience moderate to severe tics, which can be debilitating and may require treatment if they significantly impact daily life. When treatment is needed, options include:

Behavioural therapies:

Habit reversal therapy: Teaches competing responses to tics
Comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics (CBiT): A set of techniques to reduce tics
Exposure with response prevention (ERP): Helps children tolerate premonitory urges[9]

It is also important to address obsessive compulsive behaviours that often co-occur with tics, as managing these comorbid conditions can significantly improve the overall effectiveness of behavioural therapy.

Medications for Vocal Tics:

May be used alongside or after behavioural therapies
Various medications can help reduce tic frequency and severity. Chronic tic disorders, often associated with Tourette syndrome, require comprehensive evaluation and intervention to manage symptoms effectively.

Educational interventions:

Educating teachers and peers about tics to reduce stigma
It is important to educate others about the different types of tics, including motor tics, which are rapid, involuntary muscle movements often seen in children. Understanding the classification of tic disorders, such as transient and chronic tic disorders, and Tourette's syndrome, can help in recognizing common symptoms and the varying factors that influence tic frequency and severity.
Implementing accommodations at school if tics interfere with learning

Primx Programme

See if your child would benefit from our course and train

Support and Resources

Organisations and support groups:

Tourette Association of America
The Tic Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital (UK)

Understanding the different durations and management strategies for tic disorders is crucial, especially in distinguishing between conditions like provisional tic disorder, which refers to tics persisting for less than 12 months, and chronic tic disorders or Tourette's syndrome, which have longer durations.

Educational materials:

Books and videos about tics for children and families
Online resources from reputable medical organisations

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential that as a society we shift away from the narrative that developmental disorders are genetic, fixed, and permanent. There is no scientific or medical evidence to support this view. Recognising that these disorders are not immutable opens up the possibility of reversing their associated symptoms and behaviours.

Our incredible brain, through neuroplasticity, has an extraordinary capacity to adapt and improve when provided with the right stimuli—movement, nutrition, and cognitive engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions | Tics

Citations:

[1] https://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-in-children.htm

[2] https://chadd.org/about-adhd/tics-and-tourette-syndrome/

[3] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html

[4] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Understanding-ADHD.aspx

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7508636/

[6] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/

[7] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tics/

[8] https://www.google.com/search?q=Ticks+in+children

[9] https://brainxmovement.com/disorders/understanding-adhd-in-children

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