Some people can have tics in their sleep. In all the really old literature it always mentioned that people didn't tic in their sleep but that was found to be incorrect and people can tic during sleep.

Hard to know if the other things are tics really. Throat clearing and swallowing can be a tic, but I know people who don't have tics who do that when they're anxious or nervous. No idea about the heart beating... however, I do know that sometimes I feel a beat in my ear and then after I notice it, I feel very aware of it and I often wondered if it's there all the time and I just haven't noticed it before.

I have a site with a list of Tics on it, Buffheart. It's really for Tourette's Syndrome but it might be helpful for you. Some people on Autism spectrum have some tics too and my son for example has Asperger's Syndrome (autism spectrum) and he was actually diagnosed with TS when he was young as well.

List of Common Tics (Tourette's Syndrome)
http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/Files/CommonTics.PDF

What is a Tic?
http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/tour...0is%20a%20Tic?

Would it make any difference if I said my throat sometimes "tics" when I am not nervous? It is not as much, but it does still happen.

Well... Yes.

People who have tics have them whether they're nervous or not. They just happen.

It's fairly complicated I guess but stress (and that includes physical stress, like a cold or being injured, not just emotional stress) can exacerbate tics. Also some people are able to suppress their tics although it can take some effort. However, the tics will come out later in a flurry when in a different and more comfortable environment.

I've not read all your messages, Buffheart, but I'm wondering if you have talked with a doctor about your questions or other concerns.

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This is just one example of many, but here's an abstract from an article from 2000 talking about the occurence of tics and stereotypic movements in people who have Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis.

http://jcn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/15/6/394
Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 15, No. 6, 394-400 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/088307380001500608

Occurrence of Tics in Asperger's Syndrome and Autistic Disorder
John M. Ringman, MD; Joseph Jankovic, MD

I have talked to a neuro, but not for several months because I feel ridiculous telling him that I twitch. He doesn't seem to think it is serious and keeps giving me all the medicines to take. I just keep thinking that there is nothing really wrong and I am making it up (well, making everything seem worse than it really is). I don't want to go and insist on all these tests just to find out there is nothing wrong. I have been "twitching" since I was at least 12 and it hasn't gotten much worse, which makes me think it isn't serious. I just don't want to waste everybody's time and money unless I can find something that fits me and that I can present to the doctor.

*just looked at that link, and I don't have any of those tics. I don't shrug my shoulder, cough, touch things, etc...and I can't feel it coming on.