When To Worry About Your Kid's Facial And Body Tics

There are two types of tics, says Pearce: ones where the person moves involuntarily, which are known as motor tics, and ones where the person involuntarily makes a sound, which are called either vocal or phonic tics.

Some common motor tics include shrugging their shoulders, scrunching their face, blinking and eyebrow raising, explains Doja. Sniffing or throat clearing are the most common vocal ones. “Sometimes, families will take their kids in to see the doctor because they think they have a sore throat or they have allergies, but in fact, it’s related to tics,” he says.

You may have seen movies or TV shows where people with tics uncontrollably swear or say inappropriate things. The reality is, that kind of vocal tic is very, very rare in kids, notes Doja.