Tics in Children: What Every Parent Should Know | A Naturopathic Perspective
She first noticed it quietly.
A soft, repeated eye blink. Then a small neck movement. Again. And again.
At first, she wondered if it was tiredness. By bedtime, she was deep in Google, heart racing, searching phrases like “sudden tics in children” and “will this go away?” Her child had always been well, steady, and happy. Now something felt different.
This is often how the journey begins for many parents who come to see me.
Tics in children can feel frightening and confusing. Yet in many cases, they are the body’s way of signalling that something beneath the surface needs support. From a naturopathic perspective, we do not focus only on the tic itself. We gently ask why the nervous system is under strain and what we can do to help the body return to balance.
You can explore more about specific concerns such as tics in children here.
What Are Tics in Children?
Tics are sudden, repetitive, involuntary movements or sounds that a child makes, often without being fully aware of them.
They usually fall into two categories:
Motor tics – movements such as eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, head jerking, or facial grimacing
Vocal tics – sounds such as throat clearing, sniffing, humming, or repeating words
Tics most commonly appear between ages five and ten and are more frequent in boys, though girls can absolutely experience them too.
Many children develop transient tics, which come and go and often resolve within a year. Others may experience chronic tics or be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, where both motor and vocal tics persist for longer than a year.
Parents often notice that tics become more pronounced during times of stress, fatigue, excitement, illness, or emotional overwhelm, and soften when the child feels calm, rested, and regulated.
When Tics Appear Suddenly
Some children develop tics gradually. Others experience what feels like an overnight change.
In clinic, I often see children who were previously well, then suddenly develop tics following:
A recent infection
A period of poor sleep
Digestive disruption or constipation
Emotional stress or change
Immune activation
In some cases, this sudden onset may be linked to PANS or PANDAS, where immune triggers influence the brain and nervous system. When this pattern is present, supporting immune balance, gut health, and nervous system regulation becomes especially important.
This is an area where gentle, individualised naturopathic care can make a meaningful difference.
Tics in PANS and Immune-Triggered Cases
In children with PANS or PANDAS, parents often notice a sudden and dramatic shift in their child’s health or behaviour, sometimes almost overnight.
Alongside tics, a child may also develop:
Sudden anxiety or emotional changes
Obsessive or repetitive behaviours
Sleep disruption
Irritability or mood swings
Changes in appetite or food restriction
Regression in behaviour or functioning
These changes often follow an infection or immune trigger. Instead of settling after the illness, the immune system may remain activated and influence the brain and nervous system, contributing to inflammation and neurological symptoms such as tics.
From a naturopathic perspective, this pattern calls for a calm and structured approach that supports immune regulation, reduces inflammation, restores gut and microbiome balance, and helps stabilise the nervous system.
Not every child with tics has PANS. However, when onset is sudden, symptoms are layered, or behaviour shifts significantly, it is important to consider this possibility and seek appropriate support.
What May Contribute to Tics?
From a neurological perspective, tics involve the brain’s movement regulation centres. From a naturopathic lens, we recognise that the nervous system is deeply connected to the gut, immune system, nutrition, and environment.
Several underlying drivers are worth exploring.
Nutritional imbalances
The nervous system is highly nutrient dependent. Deficiencies in key nutrients can increase excitability and reduce the brain’s ability to regulate movement and stress responses.
Gut health and the gut–brain connection
The gut and brain communicate constantly. Dysbiosis, food sensitivities, and intestinal inflammation may contribute to neurological inflammation and symptom expression.
Immune activation and PANS/PANDAS
In some children, tics appear or worsen following infection. Supporting immune regulation and reducing inflammation can be an important part of care.
Environmental and dietary triggers
Artificial additives, food colourings, preservatives, and certain foods may aggravate tics in sensitive children.
Stress and nervous system dysregulation
A child with tics often has a nervous system that is more reactive. Stress, anxiety, and poor sleep can increase tic frequency and intensity.
A Whole-Child Approach
In clinic, I do not treat the tic in isolation. I look at the whole child.
During an initial consultation, we explore:
Diet and digestion
Sleep quality and rhythms
Immune history and infections
Emotional wellbeing and stress load
Environmental exposures
Developmental and family patterns
Where appropriate, functional testing may be considered to better understand nutrient status, gut health, inflammation, immune activation, or food sensitivities. Each child is different, and understanding their unique picture guides gentle, personalised care.
How Naturopathic Support May Help
Support is always tailored to the individual child, but may include:
Targeted nutritional support to strengthen nervous system stability
Gut health restoration to calm the gut–brain axis
Dietary guidance to reduce triggers and improve nutrient foundations
Immune support where infection or PANS patterns are present
Nervous system regulation to reduce reactivity and improve resilience
Sleep and lifestyle rhythms that help the body self regulate
Gentle herbal medicine to calm and regulate the nervous system
The goal is not to suppress the tic, but to support the underlying systems so the body no longer needs to express distress through movement.
A Gentle Note From Clinic
Many parents arrive frightened that tics will become permanent. In many cases, once underlying drivers such as sleep disruption, gut imbalance, immune activation, or nutritional gaps are addressed, the nervous system begins to settle and tics soften over time.
Not every journey is immediate, but understanding the deeper picture often brings enormous relief and direction for families.
What Should Parents Do First?
If you notice tics in your child, it is wise to consult your GP to rule out any conditions requiring medical care and to establish a baseline.
You may also find it helpful to:
Keep a simple diary of when tics worsen or improve
Note sleep, diet, illness, and stress patterns
Avoid drawing attention to the tic in front of your child
Create a calm, low-pressure environment at home
If your child experiences sudden severe changes, regression, obsessive behaviours, or significant functional impairment, further medical assessment is important alongside naturopathic care.
Rhythms That Restore
Simple daily rhythms can gently support the nervous system:
Consistent sleep and wake times
Protein-rich, whole-food breakfasts
Reducing artificial additives and colourings
Time outdoors and movement daily
Calm, low-stimulation evenings
Small, steady changes often create meaningful shifts over time.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your child is experiencing tics and you would like to explore gentle, root-cause support, I would be honoured to help.
In my Sydney clinic and online consultations across Australia, I support children by exploring gut health, immune balance, nervous system load, and nutritional foundations in a calm and structured way. Many parents share that the greatest relief comes from finally understanding what may be driving their child’s symptoms.
Book a consultation and begin supporting your child’s nervous system, gut health, and overall wellbeing with clarity and care.
About the Author
Ayelet is a Sydney-based clinical naturopath, herbalist, nutritionist and homeopath, and the founder of Botanic Artisan Bespoke Holistic Health. She specialises in root-cause, evidence-informed care for women and children, with a focus on children’s gut, immune and nervous system health, PANS/PANDAS, sleep and behavioural regulation, and hormonal balance during perimenopause.
She holds formal qualifications in naturopathy, herbal medicine, nutrition and homeopathy and supports families across Australia through personalised, gentle and practical treatment plans. Through her clinical work, Ayelet has supported many children with complex chronic health concerns including PANS, neuroinflammation and gut-brain dysregulation.
Her work integrates herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy and functional testing, combining modern science with traditional wisdom to restore balance, resilience and long-term wellbeing.
Learn more about her clinical approach:
https://www.botanicartisan.com.au/about
Book a consultation:
https://www.botanicartisan.com/work-with-me
