What to do if your child has tics or Tourette's Syndrome

The Child Mind Institute - childmind.org - has loads of helpful advice on tics and Tourette's syndrome. Here is a taster article from the site. 

'Tics are repeated, rapid movements or sounds. When a child develops a tic it can be scary for parents. The good news is that most tics go away on their own. But tics that don’t, or that start having an impact on your child’s daily life, may need treatment.

If you think your child has developed a tic, start by visiting your pediatrician. There are two kinds of tics. One is motor tics, like shoulder shrugging or blinking. The other is vocal tics, like sniffing or throat clearing. Tics are what experts call “un-voluntary.” This means that although kids aren’t controlling the motions or sounds, with help they can learn to control them.

If tics are mild and last less than a year, kids may be diagnosed with “provisional tic disorder.” Kids with provisional tic disorder often stop ticcing on their own and don’t need treatment. If tics have gone on for longer than a year, kids may have a chronic motor or vocal tic disorder. These disorders usually need treatment to get better. Kids with Tourette’s syndrome have more than one motor tic and at least one vocal tic, and they require treatment.

The best treatment for tic disorders is called habit reversal therapy (HRT). During HRT kids learn to recognize the feeling that happens right before a tic. Then they develop a “competing” response — something to do instead of the tic. For example, a child who clears their throat repeatedly might try taking a deep breath instead. Some kids might also learn breathing or mindfulness exercises as well. In some cases your child’s doctor may suggest combining HRT with medication.'