Why do some kids have repetitive actions, such as twitches?

Answer by  DrColbath (103)

About 25% of children will have a tic at some point during childhood. The large majority are outgrown. Stress and sleep deprivation can make the tic more noticeable. Also certain ADHD medications may make tics worse. If the tic interferes with daily activities, ask your pediatrician for more information.

Answer by  notenoughfacts (257)

Repetitive actions are often a response to stress, something or someplace or someone new, uncertainty, or fear. Repetitive actions can also be a clue that your child is bored (though usually not in the case of twitches which might also have a physical basis).

Answer by  keiki (1376)

Oftentimes it's a sign of some kind of neurological disease or some kind of mental or social illness, like ADD or ADHD. When kids have ADHD, they often have some kind of "thing" where they do the same movement or action over and over again as a kind of comfort for them.

Answer by  Rose (6804)

Some believe that it is a neurological disorder that results in the twitches and repetiitive actions. All children are different.