TOURETTE'S SYNDROME

Causes of Tourette's syndrome

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a complex neurological condition and it is not yet known what causes it.
The condition is hereditary and a person with TS has roughly a 50% chance of passing it onto their children.
So far no single gene has been convincingly identified and exactly how TS is inherited is not clear.

Key features of Tourette's syndrome (TS) are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements.
Each person with TS will have different tics and will experience diverse symptoms.
10% of people with TS have a swearing tic, which is called coprolalia.
TS typically starts in childhood and the typical age of diagnosis in the UK is seven years.
For about half the children with TS the condition will continue into adulthood. The other 50% will see a reduction in the symptoms of their TS by the end of their teenage years.

Although there is no cure for Tourette's syndrome (TS) there are reports of different drugs being used successfully in a small number of TS patients.
Behaviour therapy is also a way of helping to control tics rather than taking medication and it is possible to use behavioural therapy alongside medical treatments.
The emerging popular psychological treatment for TS is known as CBiT (Comprehensive Behavioural intervention for Tics).

Tourette's syndrome is not caused by bad parenting or abuse.
When children can suppress their tics at school this may lead to increased tics and behaviours at home.
Home may be a safe place to let tics out. However, this does mean that homework can be especially hard.

Try not to respond too much to tics as this can normalise them. However, often tics are humorous and it would be un-natural not to recognise this.
It may be helpful to provide time and space for tics to be let out in private, thus lessening the build-up of tension.
A ‘time out’ card would allow the student to go to the designated place without causing too much disruption if it becomes unbearable for them.
Try to avoid seating arrangements where tics will cause the greatest disruption, for example the middle of rows or near something breakable.
Sitting at the front of the class can improve attention but sometimes this makes the tics visible to everyone and so should be avoided.

Modify tasks or requirements some activities are much harder for students with Tourette's syndrome. Especially handwriting and other activities requiring fine motor skills.
Distribute instructions rather than asking students to copy long instructions or homework.
Tics may make handwriting difficult do not mark the student down for poor handwriting.

Exams are stressful for all students and especially so for a child with TS. Investigate and apply for special arrangements such as separate rooms or allowing rest breaks for exams.
As TS often worsens at the age of transition this can be especially difficult and may well require extra planning and support.