Tourette Syndrome

is obscene language (coprolalia) a typical syndrome of TS?

Definitely not. The fact is that cursing, uttering obscenities, and ethnic slurs stems from an uncontrollable urge to voice the forbidden even when it is directly opposite to the actual beliefs of the person voicing it

how many people are affected?

as TS often goes undiagnosed, no exact figure can be given. But authoritative estimates indicate that some 200,000 in the US are known to have this disorder

Do TS children have special educational needs?

as a group, children with TS have the same IQ range as the population at large. But problems in dealing with tics, often combined with attention deficits and other learning difficulties, may call for special educational assistance. Examples of teaching strategies include: technical help such as tape recorders, typewriters or computers to asset reading and writing and access to tutoring in a resource room. Under the federal law, an identification ("child with a disability") under the other health impaired category may entitle the student to a individual Educational Plan.

how it TS diagnosed?

diagnosis is made by observing symptoms and evaluating the history of their onset. No blood analysis, X-ray or other type o medical test can identify this condition. The TS symptoms usually emerge b/w 5 and 18 years of age

is it inherited?

genetic studies indicate that TS is inherited as a dominant gene, with a bout 50% chance of passing the gene form parent to child. Sons are three to four times more likely than daughters to exhibit TS

what future faces people with TS?

in general people with TS lead productive lives and can anticipate a normal life span. Despite problems of varying severity, may reach high levels of achievement and number in their ranks as surgeons, teachers, executives and professional musicians and athletes

What is Tourette Syndrome?

it is a neurobiological disorder characterized by tics-involunary, rapid, sudden movements and/or vocal outbursts that occur repeatedly

is there a remission?

many people with TS get better, not worse, as they mature. In a small minority of cases symptoms remit completely in adulthood

what is the cause of this syndrome?

no definite cause has yet been established, but considerable evidence points to abnormal metabolism of at least one brain chemical called dopamine.

what are the most common symptoms?

symptoms change periodically in number, frequency, type and severity- even disappearing for weeks or months at a time. Commonly, motor tics may be eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, and facial grimacing. Vocally: throat clearing, sniffing, and tongue clicking.

how is it treated?

while there is no cure, medications are available to help control TS symptoms. They range from atypical neuroleptics, to anti-hypertactive drugs, to anti- depressants. Individuals react differently tot he various medications, and frequently it takes some time until the right substance and dosage for each person are achieved. Almost all of the medications prescribe for TS treatments do not have a specific FDA indication for the disorder