All Things Tourette's
Tourette Syndrome Information & Education
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Other names: Tourette's, TS, Tourette Disorder
"A nervous system disorder involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds [tics]."
-Google
There is no cure for Tourette's.
Many sources say it begins in childhood, but it can develop during adolescence.Vocal tics are not what the ticcer is thinking. If they tic an insult, they do not genuinely believe that insult, nor were they thinking it. Tics are involuntary and most times unpredictable.TS is more common than people think!TS varies in intensity and frequency for different people, but can also wane for a single person who has it. Tics aren't consistent.
Tourette's Statistics
An estimated 1 in 162 children (0.6%) have TS.About 1 in every 360 children from ages 6-17 have received a diagnosis of TS. (app. 138,000 children)About half of children with TS are not diagnosedBoys are more likely to have it than girls.86% of people with TS have been diagnosed with another disorder (more in depth in Other Disorders with TSTics can become worse or better in adulthood; it depends on the person.1/3 of people with TS have OCD.
Diagnosing Tourette Syndrome
To be diagnosed with TS, a person must:
have two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic, but they don't have to be present at the same time.Have had tics for at least a year.Tics begin before the age of 18Have symptoms that aren't caused by other medications or conditions/disorders.
TS goes undiagnosed for a lot of people because they believe tics are caused by other things.
Stress, caffeine, junk food, anger, and trauma make tics worse.
Types of Tics
Tics can be vocal or motor and simple or complex.Vocal tics include coughing, grunting, moaning, shouting words, cursing, etc.Motor tics include quick and sometimes forceful muscle movements, blinking, twitching, jerking, etc.Simple tics include blinking, squinting. These tics use very few muscles on the body.Complex tics use multiple muscles on the body and can be in a pattern, such as jerking your head, then your arm, then whistling.
Subtypes of Tics (more detail)
Co-morbid Disorders with TS
Of people with TS:
63% have ADHD26% have behavioral problems, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD).49% have anxiety issues25% have depression35% have autism spectrum disorder47% have learning disabilities29% have speech or language problems30% have developmental delays12% have intellectual disabilities
TS is a syndrome, which means that it is caused by other things and is not a disorder itself.TS does not directly hinder brain functioning, comprehension, intelligence, or understanding. It's just the nervous system and muscles miscommunicating and misfiring.
Tourette's in Education
Approximately 1% of schoolchildren have TS (like Autism). Tics can be suppressed, but it causes discomfort and distraction, which can make learning difficult.People with TS understand that their tics can be disruptive. This is why we suppress in the first place.Co-occurring disorders can hinder learning.Embarrassment and being self-conscious about tics can make them worse.
Please refer to this PDF file on how to help students with TS.
Tourette's in the Workplace
IT IS ILLEGAL TO DENY SOMEONE A JOB BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOURETTE'S
Ask the possible employee how you can help them feel more comfortableEducate coworkers and higher-ups on TS and how to behaveEstablish a no tolerance policy to protect the well-being of the employee with TS.Stick up for the employee with TS if they find themselves in a tricky situation with customers.Be compassionate. Have empathy.
Treatments + Aids
There is no cure for Tourette Syndrome. It may get better as the person gets older, but it could also get worse. Tics could go away for years, then return later in life.
Things that can alleviate TS:
MedicationsMusic/ArtAnimalsPlaying video gamesCBD or Medical MarijuanaSensory/Fidget Toys
People with Tourette's report significant reduction in the severity and frequency of tics when they are hyperfocused on a task.
How to Help Someone with TS
Ways to help is very subjective to the individual person. Communication is key!
Don't be afraid to ask how you can help a person with other people or during tic attacks. Approaching them and asking them will most likely be very appreciated. Ask how they would prefer you to react to their tics and how they would like you to help them out.
Do not laugh when a ticcer has a tic that hurts themselves or embarrasses them. This will make the situation more stressful, thus making tics worse.
Resources
The CDC
The Tourette's Association
Evie Meg - Personal Experiences
Youtube
Although Wikipedia is considered unreliable, it still has good information about tics
Subtypes of Tics
@thetruthabouttics on Instagram