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How to Help Your Child

People usually don't take medicine for Tourette syndrome. That's because the symptoms of Tourette syndrome (the tics) don't usually get in the way of the person's life. Kids with Tourette syndrome can usually do all the same things as kids without it.

Medicine
But when the tics are bad enough to get in the way of life, there are medicines that can help. There is more than 1 medicine available. But no single medicine makes the tics go away completely. And they all have some side effects, like making your child more tired or making his stomach hurt. Ask your child's doctor whether your child should take medicine.

Getting counseling
You might have to take your child to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist to get more help. Sometimes children need counseling as well as medicine to help these problems. Make sure the help your child gets matches the problems he is having. Don't assume that the problems will go away on their own. But don't be afraid that the problems will last forever, either. They are usually temporary.

If your child has a hearing problem and also has Tourette syndrome, make sure the doctors that help your child with the Tourette syndrome also know about deafness. If your child uses sign language, try to find a doctor who knows sign language. Ask the doctor and the counselors at your child's school to help you find someone who knows about both deafness and Tourette syndrome.

Helping your child at school
Make sure your child's teachers know that your child has Tourette syndrome. It should be written on his IEP. That way, they will understand why he has tics that he cannot control. They will not get mad or punish him when the tics happen.

Your child might have some trouble making friends if the other kids at his school don't understand why he acts "differently" from them. It could help your child to meet other kids with Tourette syndrome. This will show him that he is not alone. It will also help him meet kids who share and understand his problem. To look for support groups in your area, click here.

Learn more about Tourette Syndrome

• Tourette Syndrome Association
• KidsHealth's page on Tourette syndrome
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders' "Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet"

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