11/03/2026
“I Swear” on Netflix is a must watch.
This powerful short film shares the true story of a boy living with Tourette’s, giving a raw and honest insight into what it can feel like to experience tics and how misunderstood these behaviours can often be.
At Children’s Therapy Services Queensland, we regularly support children who present with tics, Tourette’s, motor and vocal tics, and sudden changes in movement or behaviour.
From a functional neurology perspective, these symptoms are often linked to how certain areas of the brain are communicating and regulating movement. One key structure involved is the basal ganglia, which plays an important role in:
• Motor control
• Movement initiation and inhibition
• Habit and pattern formation
• Emotional regulation
When the basal ganglia circuits become dysregulated, children may experience involuntary movements, vocalisations, or repetitive behaviours that they often cannot control, even if they desperately want to.
These children are often incredibly aware of their tics, and the social and emotional impact can be significant.
Our approach focuses on supporting the nervous system, looking at the child holistically, and understanding how sensory, motor, and brain-based processes may be influencing what we see.
Most importantly, films like this remind us that behind every tic is a child trying their best to navigate their world.
If you work with or care for a child experiencing tics or Tourette’s, this short film is absolutely worth watching.
🎥 “I Swear” – based on a true story.
Neurodivergent ChildDevelopment Childrenstherapyservicesqld BasalGanglia UnderstandingChildren ChildTherapy
