Practical Support for Tics, Tourette's & Childhood Anxiety

This blog exists because good information about tics and anxiety can be genuinely hard to find. Whether you're a parent trying to understand what's happening with your child, an adult managing tics yourself, or just starting to explore your options — you'll find practical, accurate, and approachable content here.

Emily Reid, OTR/L

Hi, I'm Emily — an occupational therapist and tic specialist sharing practical, honest guidance on tics and anxiety that's grounded in real clinical experience.

CBIT Therapychild anxietytoolkit
Red light therapy panel being used on a hand, with bold text overlay reading "Light Therapy for Tics and Anxiety" — a blog post by Three23 Therapy on using light therapy to support tic management and calm the nervous system.

Light Therapy for Tics and Anxiety: What It Is, Why It Works, and How to Use It

Anxiety, Parent Resources, Sensory Processing Disorder, Sleep, Tic Education, Tourette Syndrome

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Child taking a brave step into an unfamiliar place with a parent's supportive hand, representing breaking the anxiety avoidance cycle with gradual exposure and confidence building.

Why Saying “You’ll Be Fine” Isn’t Helping Your Anxious Child — And What Does

Anxiety, Parent Resources

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Child standing at a counter cooking a healthy meal, representing the connection between anti-inflammatory diet, screen time, stress, and tic management in children with tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome.

How Sugar, Screens, and Stress Affect Tic Severity — And How to Help

Parent Resources, Tic Education, Tourette Syndrome

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Child sitting alone hugging their knees against a wall, with text overlay reading "6 Physical Symptoms of Childhood Anxiety That Have Nothing to Do With Being Sick"

6 Physical Symptoms of Childhood Anxiety That Have Nothing to Do With Being Sick

Anxiety, Occupational Therapy, Parent Resources

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Podium with microphone and stage lighting, representing public speaking and discussion about tics; blog title “When Tics Become a Public Conversation” overlaid.

When Tics Become a Public Conversation: Support, Practical Tips, and Therapy Options for Tics

Advocacy, CBIT Therapy, Tic Education, Tourette Syndrome

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Parent looking concerned while reading about motor tics vs. vocal tics on a laptop at a kitchen table.

Motor Tics vs. Vocal Tics: Simple and Complex Tics Explained in Children

Tics, Tourette Syndrome

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Child sitting at a desk, looking focused while fidgeting with a small toy, representing tics in children.

Tics in Children: Causes, Types, and When to Seek Help

Tics, Tourette Syndrome

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Tic vs. Habit vs. Compulsion graphic with text “How to Tell the Difference” and a tangled brain illustration representing confusion parents feel when identifying behaviors.

Tic vs. Habit vs. Compulsion: How to Tell the Difference

Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tic Education, Tics, Tourette Syndrome

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Tics and Anxiety: Why They Show Up Together — and What You Can Do About It

Anxiety, Suppressing Tics, Tic Education, Tics, Tourette Syndrome

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The Sleep Connection: Helping Kids Rest, Regulate, and Rebalance

Anxiety, Sleep, Tics, Tourette Syndrome

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