According to the CDC’s estimates, while approximately 1 in 50 school-aged children experience Tourette Syndrome or another Persistent Tic Disorder, only 50% of these children have received a diagnosis. Given that we know Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a life-long condition and that 83% of individuals living with TS and other Tic Disorders also experience co-occurring conditions such as OCD, ADHD, behavioral and/or anxiety issues, there is a high likelihood that many individuals in your area need care that you and your colleagues can provide. As you know, their care journey starts with a diagnosis. Below and across our site you’ll find many free resources about treating patients living with TS or another Tic Disorder.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence.
It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is characterized by motor and vocal tics. The current estimates are that 1 out of every 50 children has TS or another persistent Tic Disorder.
Provider's Toolkit
This guide is meant to equip healthcare providers with the necessary information to recognize TS and other Tic Disorders in their practices so that they can provide accurate diagnoses, referrals, recommend appropriate treatments, and guide their patients to the proper avenues for resources and support.
Treatment & Therapy
Each person with Tourette Syndrome is an individual and will require an individualized treatment plan. It is important to note that not everyone with TS will need medical treatment and medical treatment needs can vary over time. While there is no cure for TS, 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. Of course, when making any treatment decisions, it is important that patients consult with a licensed medical provider. While the TAA cannot make medical recommendations, we provide general information. Some treatments include:
- Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) – CBIT is a non-medicated treatment consisting of three important components. Many of these strategies are already commonly used in the management of TS symptoms. Many adults with TS report that they have come up with strategies similar to CBIT to manage their tics. CBIT takes the most effective concepts and blends them with strategies that aid people in learning the techniques quickly.
- Medication/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.
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – DBS is a potential treatment for certain Tourette Syndrome (TS) patients with severe motor or vocal tics affecting their quality of life, despite other treatments.
Trainings & Opportunities for Medical Providers
Staying current on best practices for treating Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders is essential for delivering the highest quality care to your patients, and the resources below make it easier to do just that. The TAA offers training opportunities in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) — an evidence-based behavioral treatment with proven clinical outcomes — including both intensive trainings and and no-cost introductory workshops, as well as continuing education activities and access to current clinical research programs and trials. Whether you are looking to expand your treatment skills, earn continuing education credits, or connect your patients to cutting-edge research, these resources are your starting point.
Resources to Share with Patients
When a patient receives a TS diagnosis, having the right information in hand can make all the difference — and the resources below are designed to be shared directly with them. This section includes patient-friendly toolkits covering what Tourette Syndrome is, how CBIT works, and how to navigate a new diagnosis, as well as downloadable and printable “I Have TS” cards that patients can carry to help others understand their condition in everyday situations. From comprehensive guides to instructive videos, these tools are ready to hand off to patients and caregivers who need clear, trustworthy information about navigating life with TS.
Tailored Guides and Toolkits
The TAA offers a robust library of patient-friendly guides and toolkits that medical providers can share directly with patients and families to help them better understand their treatment and support options.
Printable and Digital "I Have TS" Cards
The “I Have TS” card is a practical tool patients can carry with them to help explain the effects of Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders to others — particularly useful in high-stress or unfamiliar situations such as traveling or crowded public spaces. Consider sharing both the printable and digital versions with your patients; cards are available in English and Spanish and can be downloaded or saved directly to a mobile device.
Newly Diagnosed Patient Resources
For patients who have recently received a TS diagnosis, this page serves as a comprehensive starting point — understanding the prognosis, exploring treatment options, and accessing a two-part educational seminar led by a leading authority on TS. Sharing this page with newly diagnosed patients and their families can help them begin navigating their diagnosis with confidence and connect to the support they need.
Co-Occurring Conditions
TS commonly has a number of other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, some of which may present before and cause more impairment than the tics themselves. These are referred to as co-occurring conditions. The most common co-occurring conditions include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [or Behaviors] (OCD/OCB), Anxiety, and more. Learn more through the link below.
TAA Medical Advisory Board
Our Medical Advisory Board (MAB) lends their diverse expertise to the Tourette Association of America to ensure that recommendations and materials reflect accurate and up to date information related to treatment for Tourette Syndrome and related co-occurring conditions. In addition, the MAB works with the TAA to lead the development of specific projects and initiatives aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of Tourette Syndrome.
TAA Scientific Advisory Board
Our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) guides the Tourette Association of America in defining the strategic direction for our grant funding, promotes our funding calls among the scientific and medical community, reviews proposals, and ultimately makes recommendations for grant funding to the TAA’s Board of Directors.
TAA Centers of Excellence
The Tourette Association of America’s Centers of Excellence (COE) 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 the TS and Tic Disorder community. COEs across the nation are collaborating with the TAA to address many needs and concerns across the following key areas as detailed in the program Blueprint.
Join Our Provider Listing
Our Find A Provider Tool organizes a list of providers from across the US for patients to access care near them. The tool sorts Provider Listings by location, age group served, and clinical expertise.
Upcoming Workshops and Events
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