Tourette Syndrome Lenora Overstreet Radford University Dr. Tyler’s class

Definition It is an incapacitating neurological condition that causes uncontrolled vocal and motor twitches/spasms. Believed to be from a brain dysfunction. Echolalia – repeating/resonating verbal statements Coprolalia – involuntary swearing/profanity

Symptoms One can’t control the tics (motor or verbal) Examples: Grinding teeth barking » clenched hands hissing hitting self clicking Usually begins when one is 3-10 yrs old. Check with a physician if a tic develops because not all develop TS. Most take medicine if tics become bothersome.

Not specific to any societal group. Males are 3 to 4 times more apt to be affected The tics come and go over time, and they fluctuate in occurrence, location, and severity. Usually peak severity of the tics is before the mid- teenage years. About 10% of those affected have the progressive type that goes into adulthood. Many with TS have ADHD, learning disabilities, or even obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Is there a cure?  Doctors use MRI, CT (computerized tomography), EEG scans, and blood tests to exclude other confusing conditions (like cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, or even streptococcal infections)  No cure, but medication can be taken to lessen the occurrence/strength of the tics.  50/50 chance if you have TS that your child will, too.

 Can expect to live an average life span; not degenerative and doesn’t lessen one’s intellect!  Over time, the tics should lessen but other neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, panic attacks, or antisocial behaviors) may increase.

What can teachers do to help alleviate the social/educational challenges? Students with TS have the same intellectual range as normal students. The tics or other symptoms can affect their educational performance. Make sure they are in the less restrictive environment. More than likely, students with TS will have visual/motor incorporation hurdles– trouble seeing it, processing it, and recording it!

Students may need untimed tests, smaller classes, computer/tape recorder for writing or reading assignments Above all, students need a tolerant teacher and students who are aware of the “situation” and clear rules of what will be tolerated in the classroom.

Works Cited Bagheri, M., Kerbeshian, J., & Burd, L. (1999). Recognition and Management of Tourette’s Syndrome and Tic Disorders. American Family Physician. Hawley, J. & Gray, S., MD. (2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/24/09 from overview. overview National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2000). Tourette Syndrome Facts. Retrieved on 2/10/09 from No Author. (5/9/2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/28/09 from Packer, L., PhD. (2002). Tips on Dealing with Medication Side Effects. Retrieved on 3/1/09 from Packer, L., PhD. (2009). Treatment of Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome. Retrieved on 3/5/09 from Swierzewski, S., MD. (2001). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Causes and Risk Factors. Retreived on 2/13/09 from Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. (2009). What is TS? Retrieved on 2/13/09 from

Video to watch orks/howstuffworks/389-how-tourette- syndrome-works-video.htmhttp://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffw orks/howstuffworks/389-how-tourette- syndrome-works-video.htm