Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by repeated involuntary behaviours known as ‘tics’. Motor tics can include everything from eye blinking or grimacing to head jerking or foot stomping, while vocal tics may display as throat clearing, making clicking sounds, repeated sniffing, yelping, or shouting. In rare cases, people with Tourette’s Syndrome might have a tic that makes them harm themselves, such as head banging. Prior to diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome, both motor and phonic tics must be consistently present for a period of 12 months. 

The exact cause of Tourette’s Syndrome isn’t known. It’s a complex disorder likely caused by a combination of inherited (genetic) and environmental factors, and chemicals in the brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters), including but not limited to dopamine and serotonin. 

Risk factors for Tourette’s Syndrome include having a family history of Tourette’s or other tic disorders. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette’s Syndrome. 

Children with Tourette’s Syndrome often outgrow their tics by their late teens or early adult years — they happen less often and sometimes disappear altogether. 

Children with Tourette’s Syndrome often lead healthy, active lives. However, Tourette’s Syndrome frequently involves behavioural and social challenges that can harm self-image. 

Conditions often associated with Tourette’s Syndrome include: 

• Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 
• Learning disabilities 
• Sleep disorders 
• Depression 
• Anxiety disorders 
• Pain related to tics, especially headaches 
• Anger management problems 

Symptoms include rapid, repetitive and involuntary muscle movements and vocalisations called ‘tics’, which are classified as simple or complex. Simple tics involve sudden, brief movement within a limited number of muscle groups. These occur in a single and isolated fashion and are often repetitive.  

Complex tics involve distinct, co-ordinated patterns of movements which involve several muscle groups. These may include jumping, smelling objects or touching the nose. 

Typically, tics increase as a result of tension or stress, and decrease with relaxation or concentration. 

In the case of tics, the intermittent nature of the condition may make it difficult to identify in its early stages. However, over time, a pattern of motor tics and other behaviours will emerge. During the assessment process, it is important to determine the frequency of the symptoms and the degree to which the tics and other behaviours impair functioning. Patterns associated with the tics (for example, are they brought on or made worse by stress or tiredness) may also be key in recommending appropriate modifications or strategies to deal with them.