What is Tourette Syndrome (TS)?
TS is a neurological condition, often hereditary, (there is a genetic link). It is more often diagnosed in boys and it is estimated that 1 in 100 children have it. A diagnosis of TS is based on observations of tics. These are involuntary movements and/or sounds/words. They must be evident for over a year without a gap of more than 3 consecutive months. If there are not both motor and vocal tics, it might be a tic disorder but not Tourette’s. Hidden tics include impulsive thoughts. They can also involve socially inappropriate urges such as calling out or making noises. This happens when the rule or social expectation is to be quiet.
Suppression is temporary and can result in a sudden burst of tics known as a ‘tic attack’. Not everyone with TS have swearing (coprolalia) or obscene gesture tics (copropraxia) – in fact, most don’t.
Approximately 85% of people with TS have another, co-occurring condition such as ADHD or OCD. Tourettic OCD can be slightly different. Compulsions satisfy a feeling of ‘not quite right’. They often relate to numbers or a visual order. Anxiety and Sensory differences often co-occur as well.
TS is often overlooked as it can show as disruptive behaviour. In our experience, children are more often diagnosed with ADHD. Many paediatricians do not consider tic disorders or Tourette’s as a separate diagnosis.
TS can be diagnosed by a neurologist, paediatrician or psychiatrist. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. Tics are often exacerbated by anxiety, tiredness and/or excitement. They are most often first noticed around the age of about 7 and can peak during puberty. In roughly 1/3 of people tics get worse. 1/3 of people have the same amount. Another 1/3 of people find that the severity of their tics improves with age. The number of tics they have may also decrease with age.
Click here for a downloadable record sheet. You can use it to identify or track tics. This will help you evidence them for diagnostic assessments or review meetings.
What We Offer
- Observations and practical strategies
- Discussions with caregivers and staff
- Support for identification and onward referral
- Working with individuals
- Training – twilight or half day
Tourette’s & Tics FAQs
FAQ: Isn’t that the swearing thing?
NO! Well, sometimes yes. Coprolalia doesn’t affect everyone with Tourette’s, in fact it’s only a small percentage.
FAQ: Does everyone with tics have Tourette’s?
No, a diagnosis of Tourette’s is given when someone experiences both motor tics and vocal tics. This condition must have persisted for some time. Otherwise it would be a Tic Disorder (either vocal (noises/ words) or motor (movements). Many children experience tics at some point – blinking, sniffing, licking lips for example, but they may not last.
FAQ: The tics seems to have stopped so they can’t have a tic disorder can they?
The tics may have been transient and gone away. However, they might now have a different tic that isn’t as obvious.
FAQ: You can see if someone has Tourette’s can’t you?
No, not always – some tics can be quite subtle. Sometimes its intrusive and impulsive thoughts. Often tics are seen as ‘naughty’ or challenging behaviour. These behaviours challenge the individual with tics as well as those around them.
“I know I don’t have to.. but I feel like I have to…” “It’s like an itch and when I move it’s like I’ve scratched it.” “I’ve got to do it 3 more times to make it even.”
“People think I’m weird because I make noises.” “I have to click my pen a certain number of times and it distracts me.”
FOCUSS 