Each person with Tourette Syndrome is an individual and will require an individualized treatment plan. It is important to note that not everyone with Tourette will need medical treatment and medical treatment needs can vary over time.
While there is no cure for Tourette Syndrome, there are a number of treatments, including non-medicine behavioral treatments as well as medications, that can be effective at reducing tics or helping to manage co-occurring conditions.
When making any treatment decisions, it is important to consult with a licensed medical provider.
While the TAA cannot make medical recommendations, we have provided some general information on available treatments below:
Find-a-Provider Tool
Meet our Centers of Excellence
The Tourette Association of America’s Centers of Excellence (CofE) program recognizes medical institutions that offer the highest level of care, are undertaking groundbreaking research, are leaders in training and education and provide exceptional community outreach and advocacy for Tourette syndrome and other Tic Disorders.
Centers of Excellence – Tourette Association of America
Centers of Excellence Locations – Tourette Association of America
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)
CBIT Overview
In 2001, TAA’s Behavioral Sciences Consortium created the non-drug treatment, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), after collaborative research.
CBIT: Information for Patients
New treatments can ignite hope, but some in the TS community worry that emphasizing behavioral approaches might have downsides.
CBIT: Information for Practitioners
CBIT combines habit reversal training with psycho-education and behavioral interventions, as confirmed in two extensive clinical trials.
CBIT Workshops
Together with the CDC, TAA provides a free program detailing TS, its related conditions, the CBIT protocol, and its supporting research.
Behavioral Therapy Institute – CBIT Trainings
Recognizing the critical shortage of trained behavioral therapists for treating Tourette Syndrome (TS) and other Tic Disorders, the Tourette Association of America Inc. has established the Tourette Syndrome Behavioral Therapy Institute (TS-BTI).
Learn more about the Behavioral Therapy Institute at Behavioral Therapy Institute – CBIT Trainings – Tourette Association of America
Join the NIH Study
Researchers at the University of Utah and Marquette University are seeking therapists and their patients with tic disorders to participate in a research study examining the effectiveness of a self-paced, interactive online program for training therapists in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).
CBIT Webinar
In a webinar series designed for healthcare providers, the TAA has identified topics that are applicable to those who are involved in the care of individuals living with Tourette Syndrome and for those who are interested in learning more about TS treatment and management.
Treatment
Individuals with Tourette Syndrome require personalized treatment plans. Not all need consistent medical intervention, and needs can change over time. While there’s no cure, various treatments, including behavioral approaches and medications, can effectively manage tics and associated conditions.
Pharmacology
The goal of treatment with medications is to reduce tics to a point that they are no longer causing distress to the patient or interfering with function.
Speech Therapies and Pathologies
Speech-language pathologists are communication disorder specialists trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions beyond the production of speech sounds.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a potential option for select Tourette syndrome (TS) patients whose motor and/or vocal tics significantly impact the quality of life despite maximal use of other treatment options.
