TOURETTE SYNDROME

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder. Normally people who have this disorder will have characteristics such as involuntary movements and vocalizations which are considered to be tics. Tourette Syndrome was named by Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, his first diagnosing was in 1885 to a 86 year old French noblewomen. Motor and vocal tics must be present, but necessarily at the same time. This tic must occur for at least one year and usually will occur before the age of 18. Although the cause for TS is still unknown brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters are likely to be involved. Also stress and tension can cause or increase tics. Researchers believe TS is inherited through genes, but still continue to study other possible factors such as birth related issues, infections and autoimmune problems. TS does not always last a life time, some cases may fade away as the person grows older.

Symptoms
Symptoms can occur suddenly and the length of time they may last can vary. Most cases are mild, the symptoms can range anywhere from mild to serve. The symptoms are divided into vocal and motor tics, but then are divided into simple and complex. Vocal tics: Simple- arm/leg thrusting, eye blinking, head jerking and facial grimacing. Complex- touching things, smelling, jumping, and twirling around. Motor tics: Simple- coughing, sniffing, grunting, and throating clearing, yelping. Complexunacceptable words and saying things that dont make sense.

Family Resources
Greater Washington TSA 5851 Deale Churchton Road, Deale, MD 20751 410-867-1151 info@tsagw.org

University of Maryland Medical 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 1.800.492.5538

Kennedy Krueger Institute 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 888- 554-2080/ 443- 923-9200 www.kennedykrieger.org

Assistive Technology
Pre- recording class presentation: For most students they earn their class participation points when they present to the class. For students that have Tourettes the teacher should allow the student to record presentation for the class to listen to. Speech to text software: For students with tics it is difficult to listen and write down notes. This allows you to say out loud what you want to write down and the software copies it in to the computer.

Teaching Strategies
Be aware of TS. Use few words when explaining Provide written schedule. Give notice before any transitions. Have seating chart. Have a cue (between student and teacher) Avoid timed tests Allow extra time to complete work. Establish daily routine.

Have clear rules.

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Current Research
Currently, NIH investigators are conducting a variety of genetic studies. If investigators could find a gene or genes for TS it could be a major stepping stone toward understanding any risk factors. Kennedy Krieger had a work shop in 2010. It was for children who have TS. Children spent the day at the institute doing a number of activities while researcher studied their brain function.

Statistics
Males are affected three times more often than females. TS is twice as common among children 12- 17 years old than children 6-11 years old. 29% percent of children with TS have a moderate or serve disease. 79% of children with TS also have another neurodevelopmental problem. More than one third of people with TS also have an obsessivecompulsive disorder. In most cases tics decrease during adolescence and early adulthood, and sometimes will disappear.

References
"Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.

"Tourette Syndrome." Tourette Syndrome. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

"Recruiting Studies." Our Studies. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

Other cases tics can become worse during adulthood.

"Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.

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