tics (tic) and involuntary movements in children - NICE guidance - suspected neurological conditions - recognition and referral
Last edited 05/2019
Tics and involuntary movements in children
Summary points from NICE relating to tics and involuntary movements in children are:
Sudden-onset involuntary movements
- refer immediately children who have sudden-onset chorea, ataxia or dystonia for neurological assessment
Tics
- do not routinely refer children with simple motor tics that are not troublesome
to the child
- advise parents or carers of children with a tic disorder to discuss the
disorder with the child's school, emphasising that the tic is an involuntary
movement and the child should not be reprimanded for it
- do not offer medicine for motor tics in children without specialist referral
and advice
- be aware that tics and stereotypies (repetitive or ritualistic movements
such as body rocking) are more common in children with autism or a learning
(intellectual) disability
- for children with a tic disorder that has a significant impact on their
quality of life, consider referring according to local pathways, as follows:
- referral to mental health services if the tic disorder is associated with symptoms of anxiety or obsessive compulsive behaviour
- referral to the neurodevelopmental team if the tic disorder is associated with symptoms suggestive of autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- referral for neurological assessment if the tic disorder is severe
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