Tourette’s disorder is a type of tic disorder. Tourette’s is a rare disorder that affects less than one percent of children. Tourette’s disorder is characterized by chronic tics, which persist for a year or more. A child with Tourette’s disorder usually has both body and vocal tics that are frequent and severe, making it hard for the child to function normally.

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of Tourette’s disorder include:

• Eye blinking, squinting, or rolling
• Head twitches or jerks
• Shrugging shoulders
• Facial movements
• Jumping, hopping or twisting
• Touching objects
• Sniffing, snorting, thoat clearing, grunting, hissing or barking
• Repeating words
• Using vulgar or socially inappropriate words (uncommon)

Evaluation and Diagnosis

Tourette’s disorder can be distressing for children, particularly because of peer reactions to the tics. Tourette’s Disorder is usually diagnosed in children, around ages 8 to 10. However, symptoms can come and go. If you think your child has Tourette’s disorder, your child may need a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

Treatment

Tourette’s disorder can be treated by a developmental behavioral pediatrician, a neurologist, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, an advanced practice nurse, or a psychotherapist. 

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Treatment for the child with Tourette’s disorder may include individual psychotherapy including habit reversal training, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposure and response prevention as well as medications. The types of medications that may be used include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications (in particular, Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors or SRIs), anti-psychotic medications, or other medications (in particular, clonidine guanfacine). Family psychotherapy can also help families provide emotional support and the appropriate educational environment for the child. 

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If Tourette’s disorder is affecting the child’s ability to learn, adjustments may need to be made in their education program. 

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