Tourette Syndrome Factsheet (for Schools)
What Educators Should Know
Tourette syndrome is a genetic condition that causes uncontrolled, unwanted, sudden, repetitive muscle movements and sounds known as tics. Experts don't know the exact cause of Tourette syndrome, but there may be problems with how nerve cells talk to each other.
The main symptoms of Tourette syndrome include:
- motor tics. These are sudden, uncontrollable movements like eye blinking, grimacing, head jerking, or shoulder shrugging. Complex motor tics may include jumping, touching other people, or, very rarely, biting or hitting oneself.
- vocal tics, like throat clearing, sniffing, or humming. Complex vocal tics can involve repeating other people's words (called echolalia) or involuntary swearing (called coprolalia).
At certain times, like during stressful situations, tics can become more severe, more frequent, or longer. Tourette syndrome usually first shows up in childhood or adolescence. While there is no cure for the condition, doctors can prescribe medicines to help control symptoms that interfere with schoolwork or daily life.
It's common for people with Tourette syndrome to have other conditions too, such as ADHD, OCD, anxiety, learning disabilities, or sleep problems.
What Are the Challenges for Students with Tourette Syndrome?
Students with Tourette syndrome may:
- say or do inappropriate things
- have difficulty concentrating in class because they are focusing on trying to control tics
- need to have breaks from instruction to release symptoms or use relaxation techniques to help reduce the frequency or intensity of tics
- be absent from school or dislike school because they are embarrassed by their tics
Tourette syndrome is a neurological (brain) condition, not a mental health one. But it can cause emotional distress in students, and this can make tics worse.
What Can Educators Do?
Students with Tourette syndrome face a higher risk of being bullied. Counselors and doctors can help you learn how to explain the tics to others.
When possible, ignore tics and look for ways to reduce classroom stress. Keeping the classroom calm, and having focused activities can help students have fewer tics. Make sure to give special consideration to instruction, assignments, and testing, especially if your student misses class time due to medical appointments or counseling.
Students with Tourette syndrome can participate in school sports, gym, and extracurricular activities. Encouraging them to participate is a great way for them to focus their mental and physical energy and improve socialization and peer interaction.
