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

Tics can come and go and change over time. If your child has a tic that lasts less than a year, that’s what’s known as a transient tic disorder, explains Pearce. If your child has a vocal or motor tic (but not both) that lasts longer than a year, it’s what’s known as a persistent tic disorder (either persistent motor tic disorder or persistent vocal tic disorder, depending on the type).

Many people associate tics with Tourette Syndrome, which is diagnosed when someone under age 18 has had at least two motor tics and one vocal tic that lasted for more than a year (they can wax and wane during this time, and all three need not occur during the same time period). About 1 percent of people have Tourette Syndrome, says Dr. Doja.