Tics are brief, involuntary movements or sounds that can vary in frequency and intensity.
They are typically grouped into:
Motor tics — movements such as blinking, facial movements, shoulder shrugging, or head movements
Vocal tics — sounds such as throat clearing, sniffing, or repeating words
Tics often begin in childhood and may change over time. They can increase or decrease depending on a child’s environment, stress levels, or routine.