When Your Child Has Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome causes repeated tics. Tics are sudden, uncontrolled vocal sounds or muscle jerks.
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a nervous system disorder. It's also called Tourette disorder (TD). The syndrome causes repeated tics. Tics are sudden, uncontrolled vocal sounds or muscle jerks. Symptoms of TS often start between ages 5 and 10. They usually start with mild, simple tics of the face, head, or arms. Over time, a child may have different kinds of tics that may happen more often. They may also involve more parts of the body, such as the torso or legs. And they may be more disruptive to daily life.
How to say it
ter-REHT
SIHN-drohm
What causes Tourette syndrome?
TS affects more boys than girls. Your healthcare provider may advise genetic counseling for any future pregnancy.
A specific gene has not been identified in the most cases. Possible causes in these cases may be:
Problems during pregnancy
Low birth weight
Head injury
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
Symptoms of Tourette syndrome
The most common symptoms are uncontrolled muscle movements. They may occur in the face, neck, shoulders, torso, or hands. Examples include:
Head jerking
Squinting
Blinking
Shrugging
Grimacing
Nose-twitching
Repeated foot tapping, leg jerking, scratching, or other movements
Complex tics include:
Kissing
Pinching
Sticking out the tongue or lip-smacking
Touching behaviors
Making rude gestures
TS also includes 1 or more vocal tics, such as:
Grunting or moaning sounds
Barking
Tongue clicking
Sniffing
Hooting
Saying rude things
Throat clearing, snorting, or coughing
Squeaking noises
Hissing
Spitting
Whistling
Gurgling
Echoing sounds or phrases repeatedly
Tic behaviors change over time. They also vary in how often they occur.
TS can occur differently in boys and girls. Boys are more likely to have long-term (chronic) tics. Girls are more likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is an anxiety disorder. With OCD, a child has a repeated thought, fear, or worry (obsession). They try to manage it through a behavior (compulsion) to reduce the anxiety.
Diagnosing Tourette syndrome
A child with TS is usually diagnosed around the age of 7. The healthcare provider will ask about:
Your child’s symptoms and health history
Your family’s health history
Developmental problems
The healthcare provider will also:
Watch your child's behavior
Ask for a history of your child's behavior from teachers
Assess your child’s psychological, social, and educational status
Treatment for Tourette syndrome
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Some children may not need treatment. A child with TS can usually function well at home and in a regular classroom.
Your child may need treatment if:
Tics cause problems with daily function or school
Your child has a problem, such as OCD or ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
Your child has another emotional or learning problem
Treatment can include:
Special classes, to help with problems in school
Psychotherapy, to help with emotional stress
Medicine, if they have related conditions, such as ADHD, OCD, or a mood disorder
Comprehensive behavioral intervention, to help deal with tics and reduce tics
Talk with your child’s healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all medicines.
Possible complications of Tourette syndrome
Many children who have TS also have attention problems. Some have trouble in school. But most have normal intelligence and don’t have a learning disability.
Other conditions often seen in children with TS include behavior problems, mood changes, social challenges, and trouble sleeping.
Helping your child live with Tourette syndrome
Your child may need support and help with:
Self-esteem
Relationships with family and friends
Classroom participation
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about the best ways to support your child.
When to call your child's healthcare provider
Call the healthcare provider if either of the following occur:
Symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse
New symptoms