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Tourette’s syndrome is a genetic condition that causes physical and verbal tics. It often co-occurs with other conditions such as ADHD and OCD. Symptoms may improve with age, but treatment can be complex and may involve medication and therapy. Supportive learning environments are important for those with Tourette’s in school.
Tourette’s syndrome is a difficult condition that affects the brain and causes so-called tics. It is, for now, an incurable condition, but a lot is known about it. It appears to be genetically inherited, although precisely how the condition is inherited isn’t always clear. It also affects more males than females and is associated with a number of other conditions or complications.
The symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome are mainly physical or verbal tics. Physical tics are involuntary movements, although the person may feel the need for tics. These movements can vary and can include movements of the face, jaw and the rest of the body and can occur frequently. People may also have verbal tics where they make sounds or say things. Things said can be repetitive and sometimes inappropriate, although it is a gross misrepresentation to suggest that all people with Tourette’s syndrome will swear. Some people do, but this is often misrepresented in media presentation as the primary symptom of Tourette’s syndrome.
People with this condition may have several other related conditions. The risk of attention disorders is significantly increased. Some people are likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and others may have conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Other depressive or anxiety disorders can also occur with Tourette syndrome.
For many people with Tourette’s, symptoms get worse when they’re young and get better as people reach adulthood. This is not always the case, and some people will continue to have significant tics. However, improvement in adulthood may mean that some are able to live fairly normal lives once they reach adulthood. The condition typically does not affect lifespan, although the degree of tics can affect quality of life.
Usually, Tourette syndrome is diagnosed before children turn 10, and the diagnostic standard is to look for tics that have been present for at least a year. Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment methods can begin. These are complex and combine the use of medications to help reduce risk while providing educational and emotional support to the person with the condition.
Some medications that can reduce tics include antipsychotics. Those with hyperactivity may benefit from medications to treat ADHD. If OCD is present, it can be treated with various antidepressants. These drugs, especially antipsychotics, can have significant side effects and treatment can be difficult.
In school, although the person with Tourette syndrome has average or above average cognition, the presence of tics can make learning and especially writing difficult. Pressure on the student is not encouraged, as anxiety often makes the tics worse. Small class sizes and supportive learning environments that help meet student needs and protect against social stigma are invaluable. Many people with the condition also benefit from ongoing therapy to address issues of being markedly different from peers and to deal with the day-to-day aspects of the disease.
