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Original poster

Do children grow out of tics?

21 replies

Icenii · 02/01/2021 08:45

I recall having a nose one when I was young, and my friend kept clearing her throat, but DD9 keeps nodding her head, and tells me she can't stop sticking out her tongue.

It says online that it can be a phase. Anyone else have experience?

OP posts:
AgnesNaismith · 02/01/2021 08:47

Dd used to repeat most sentences silently after saying them..she grew out of it.

A friend of hers used to have a cough, I think it happened more when she was nervous but again, she has grown out of it.

In my experience tics are common in children, I guess it depends on the child!

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 02/01/2021 08:50

Yes my children have had tics. My eldest has asd and I suspect he has some that he hides (he is 14 so we don't see him much!). My daughter has grown out of hers. My 10 year old rarely does them. My 6 year old does. I have found ages 6-9 to be the worst with regards to tics. There is nothing you can do except ignore them. They will most likely go away. A lot of adults have tics that you wouldn't even notice, they are very common! Just bloody annoying! At least it isn't as bad as my daughter's main one of repeatedly pulling her pants away from her bits! That was a bit embarrassing!

LarryUnderwood · 02/01/2021 08:53

I have been wondering the same thing. My 9 year old DS always has some kind of tic - used to be throat clearing, now it's a kind of weird blinking thing and making a sucking noise. Definitely gets worse when he's tired or stressed.

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Families
Checkers271 · 02/01/2021 08:54

My friends DS had one when he was around 7, he used to rapidly throw his head backwards, he grew out of it within the year.

Skipsurvey · 02/01/2021 08:55

my dd did at aged 7, mouth opening.
she grew out of it

justilou1 · 02/01/2021 08:56

Depends on the tic and the cause. Some get worse. Worth seeing a paed if you are worried.

Donotgogentle · 02/01/2021 08:58

My DS had one which turned out to be transitory but they can be long term.

We were told there is a specialist tic clinic at St George’s in London (part of its Tourette’s provision) but never asked for a referral as it went on its own:-

www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/service/neuro/neurology/tourette-syndrome/

hamstersarse · 02/01/2021 09:02

My ds grew out of a phase of shoulder shrugging, eye rolling and mouth opening. He was about 7/8 and had them for about 2 years.

I think his was stress related...divorce. That doesn’t make me feel great, but most likely the truth.

underneaththeash · 02/01/2021 09:04

All of my children had/have tics and so did I as a child.
DD and DS1 have grown out of them, DS2 hasn't (and I don't think he will now).

SpeckledyHen · 02/01/2021 09:09

Both of my sons had different tics around 7/9 . Eldest son’s was quite pronounced and we saw a child psychologist about it . She said it was very common and he would grow out of it and he did .

Original poster
Icenii · 02/01/2021 09:10

OK so this is reassuring. Thank you all.

OP posts:
BrightonForWine · 02/01/2021 09:13

They are very common and I think the majority grow out of it.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 02/01/2021 16:46

My 15 and 19 year olds still have tics. My 17 year old has never had them.

JimmyTheBrave · 02/01/2021 18:33

5 of my nieces/nephews have had a variety of tics and all have stopped now they're older (12 +)

Original poster
Icenii · 15/01/2021 18:48

My daughter's have gotten much worse since I've posted this.

Nodding, sticking face in the air, sticking out tongue, clicking when reading. I'm really worried and will call the GP Monday. She also mentioned she keeps wanting to do things 3 times.

OP posts:
Submariner · 15/01/2021 19:07

I'm an adult with several tics so not always. It's worse when I'm tired or stressed (which is annoying because they tire me out in themselves).

Original poster
Icenii · 15/01/2021 21:27

I'm wondering whether the increase of screens, decrease in exercise and stress is contributing.

OP posts:
Seagullslanding · 15/01/2021 21:46

My 11 year old daughter has had loads of different tics over the years. They have ranged from making noises, repetitive actions, and the latest having to spit out saliva into a towel. We have never made a big issue out of them, they always end and are eventually replaced by another.

I do believe they are related to anxiety. My daughter is currently waiting referral on the ASD pathway. If you met her you wouldn't think there was an issue, itz only if you get to know her or know anything about ASD in girls that would make you realise that she isn't NT.

Seagullslanding · 15/01/2021 21:52

With my daughter the tics and anxiety reached a peak when she was almost 9. The GP referred her to CAMHS this was the first step in the school agreeing there was an issue and the referral to the ed psych. With my daughter the anxiety went out of control, for my daughter these tics give her some form of comfort,/control

Original poster
Icenii · 15/01/2021 21:56

I don't think she is anxious. Generally she is a happy child, although quiet in class.

OP posts:
Ennyta · 28/05/2025 22:53

Icenii · 15/01/2021 21:56

I don't think she is anxious. Generally she is a happy child, although quiet in class.

How did it go for your daughter? In the same situation with my 3,5 year old son.

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