Tourette Syndrome In Children
Do sufferers of Tourette syndrome have developmental problems?
People with Tourette's don't really have clear cut developmental delay. They may have some issues related to behavior that gets them special attention in school, but they're generally of normal intelligence. They're neither of inferior or superior intelligence.
At what age will tics or Tourette syndrome become apparent?
The age of onset for Tourette syndrome is by definition below the age of 20. It does typically appear in childhood years between the ages of five and twelve -- this would be the typical age range when tics first emerge.
Should I seek medical attention if my child is showing signs of Tourette syndrome?
Most parents would be concerned if they saw 'tic-like' behavior in their child. And it may again be misconstrued as a psychiatric disorder, or some other manifestation of a psychological problem, which it's not. Tourette syndrome is a neurologically driven movement disorder. Oftentimes I do see children whose parents have brought them in, simply because they're concerned about what is causing these movements. And the child does not necessarily require treatmentm, it's just to make a diagnosis and reassure parents that there isn't something more troubling present than Tourette syndrome or a tic.
What can I expect the doctor will ask about my child's tic?
I would ask people about what kind of movements are being observed. The interesting thing is that when parents bring in their child, the child can often suppress the tic and does at the time of the visit so I don't see the movements that the child has. So I ask parents about what kind of movements they are observing, what is concerning them. I also ask specifically about motor tic and vocal tic. I ask if the movements are changing over time. I try to get a sense of how troubling the tics are to the child, not necessarily to the parent or somebody around them. I need to get a sense. Is it disruptive to the child? Is it interfering with school? Is it causing problems socially for the person?
What is the hardest part about living with Tourette syndrome?
What is the hardest part about living with Tourette syndrome? Its twofold. Its the coping with these very visible motor symptoms; the ticks and the attention that they create in a negative way. And, the other behavioral issues that may go along with Tourettes.
What is the appropriate response to a child who has Tourette syndrome?
What is 'PANDAS'?
PANDAS is an acronym standing for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infection. This is a theory about what may trigger tic in some people exposed to the streptococcus bacterium infection may trigger immune response once embodies and results in tic. This is not a theory that has been established as fact but it continues to receive some attention.
