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Tourette Syndrome in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 3, 2024.

What is Tourette syndrome (TS)?

TS is a disorder that causes your child to have tics. A tic is when your child makes sudden, fast movements or sounds that he or she cannot control. TS begins before 18 years of age. Tics are usually most severe between ages 10 and 12 years and often improve during adolescence.

What increases my child's risk for TS?

The exact cause is not known, but it may be linked to genetic changes that cause problems with chemicals in the brain. These chemicals affect the nerves that help control your child's movements, behavior, emotions, and thoughts. Your child is more likely to have TS if a close family member has TS. It is more common in boys. Ask your child's healthcare provider for more information about family history and other risk factors for TS.

What kinds of tics may my child have?

Your child will have at least 2 kinds of motor tics and at least 1 kind of vocal tic. The motor and vocal tics might happen at the same time, but they might happen separately. Your child will need to have the tics for at least 1 year before his or her healthcare provider will diagnose TS. Your child may have any of the following several times every day:

What should I know about tics?

What other problems might my child have?

Children with TS are more likely to also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or bipolar disorder. Ask your child's healthcare provider for more information on these disorders. Your child may also experience the following:

How is TS diagnosed?

Your child's healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's tics and health history. Tell the provider when the tics started, how often they occur, how bad they are, and if they interfere with daily activities. Tell him or her if a family member has TS or another tic disorder. Your child's healthcare provider may do testing to check your child's brain function. He or she may check your child's eyes, strength, memory, and problem solving ability. He or she will also check for other conditions, such as ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. These often occur with TS. Treatment for some of the other disorders may also improve tics.

How is TS treated?

Treatment for TS may not be needed, or may be started later. Your child's provider may recommend watching and waiting to see if the tics get worse. Your child's tics may become milder or go away during the teen years. Treatment may help make tics less severe but usually does not get rid of them completely.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

What can I do to help support my child?

Where can I find more information?

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:

When should I seek immediate care?

When should I call my child's doctor?

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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Treatment options

Further information

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