Tics

Symptoms | Treatments

What is

Treatment

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What is - Tics

Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalisations.
Individuals with multiple motor tics and vocal tics for more than 1 year have Tourette’s syndrome.
More information on Tourette’s syndrome can be found here.
Tics can wax and wane. It can get worse with stress, low mood, anxiety or insufficient sleep.
Find out how youths can manage these better at our youth well-being webpage.
For younger children, there are resources on sleep and anxiety from Department of Child Development

Most children do not require intervention for tics.
Intervention is considered when tics affect a child’s movement or speech, relationships e.g. bullying, self-esteem or family life.
Behavioural intervention is provided at psychology service for children primary school and above.
Paediatric neurologist can prescribe medication for tics when required.

Tics are associated with co-occurring developmental and mental health conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and anxiety disorders.
These co-occurring conditions are assessed and managed at:
- Department of Child Development for preschool children
- Child & Adolescent Mental Wellness Service or Paediatric and Adolescent Wellness Service for children in primary school and above.