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Tourettes Syndrome
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Regulating dopamine
Tourette’s Syndrome is characterised by a number of frequently changing tics. It is apparently caused by a difficulty regulating dopamine which is a neuro-transmitter which causes impaired action of various receptor sites. It is a genetic disorder and it is thought that 3% of the population have it and four times more boys have it than girls.Recognising Tourette’s Syndrome
A tic is an involuntary rapid sound or movement. It can be as extreme as echolalia, echopraxia, coprolalia and copropraxia .
Echolalia – a repetition of what you just heard
Echopraxia – imitating the actions you’ve seen
Coprolalia – a repetition of obscene words
Copropraxia – a repeition of obscene gestures
Most children have the mild form – the above are only found in extreme situations. The tics often disappear during sleep. They can be worse if the child is tired or stressed. They can also disappear if the child is engaged in something they find interesting and motivating.
Chronic tic disorder – the tic will remain unchanged for years and the person may have several of them.
Transient tics – 1in five children have tic at some time but it may only last a few weeks or a month. It may be in th eform of sniffing or twirling but it may disappear.
Medication can help but often it is unnecessary
Different types of Tourettes Syndrome
There are different types of Tourette’s Syndrome which include: Pure Tourette’s Syndrome which often goes undiagnosed; Full blown Tourette’s Syndrome and this will include extremes such as copropraxia and coprlalia and Tourette’s Syndrome Plus where there are associated difficulties present. The associated disorders can include ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder); depression; difficulties with reading comprehension, difficulties with fine motor skills; aggression; self injury; OCD ( Obsessive Compulsive Disorder); difficulties with organisation. They are often more likely to experience learning difficulties.
How to support a child with Tourette’s Syndrome
Watch out for depression
Don’t give the child a row for the tic
Talk to parents
Try to stop other children form teasing
Allow for time out for the child
Minimise stress
Allow the child to miss assemblies etc if they have difficulty with a verbal tic
Give extra time for tasks to prevent stress
Give a separate room for exams
Use multi-sensory strategies
Be flexible, understanding and patient
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