Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes tics. A tic is a sudden, repetitive movement or uncontrolled sounds. They can occur in any part of the body, vary in severity and frequency, and change over time. Children with Tourette syndrome commonly also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or anxiety.

Symptoms

Motor tics:

• Blinking
• Teeth grinding
• Foot tapping
• Shrugging
• Pinching or hitting self

Vocal tics:

• Throat clearing
• Shouting words, phrases, or sounds
• Tongue clicking
• Sniffing

Possible Treatments

The team develops the treatment plan at Arkansas Children’s, working with each patient to develop an individualized plan considering the child’s conditions, symptoms, and impact on daily activities. Treatments include:

• Medications
• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) or other behavioral therapies