Looking at the Face of Tourette Syndrome

Most people view Tourette Syndrome as a debilitating condition, forcing patients to live in isolation and misery. However there is an upside to this condition that many are not aware of.

In many ways, Tourette disorder can be viewed as a blessing as it forces people to focus on impulse control skills. Former National Basketball Association point guard and leading free throw shooter in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings from 1990-98, averaging 15.2 points a game,Chris Jackson, also known as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf,claimed that the disorder forced him to “focus with laserlike precision on his shooting.”

Canada's CTV has recently released a documentary showing how Tourette Syndrome is a multi-faceted condition which can interfere with socialization and communication. However, patients with this condition can still live successful and normal lives.

One of these patients is Shane who has managed to deal with his condition through art and karate.

As a child he lived with the isolation and bullying because of his condition. As an adult,he has learned to cultivate his art which allows him to express who he really is - a powerful tiger in a cage waiting to be released. He has also harnessed his energy through martial arts and works as a karate sensei for children who appreciate the role model he has become for them.

Shane's story is a story of success. Tourette Syndrome has shaped Shane's life with poignant poetic justice.

More on this at Some Myths and Misconeptions About Tourette Syndrome.

What is Tourette Syndrome?

The name "Tourette Syndrome" comes from Dr. George Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist who first described the condition in 1855.

The syndrome usually begins in childhood, occurring in boys more frequently than in girls. Other disorders are sometimes associated with the syndrome--OCD, ADHD, ODD ( Oppositional Defiant Disorder)as well as some mood conditions like depression.

It is estimated that 10 in 2000 people experience TS.It is not a degenerative disease; nor does it compromise intelligence.While there is no cure for the disease, TS individuals can lead relatively healthy lives. New research into the cause and behavior of this disease has spawned many effective management strategies through parent management training and cognitive behavior therapy. Seeking professional help can do much for the creation of a balanced and productive life.

A new form of behavior therapy known as CBIT or comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics, has been found to significantly reduce chronic tics and tic-related problems in children and adolescents.

For more information check out our Tourette Syndrome Page.
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Some Myths and Misconceptions about Tourette Syndrome

There is a great deal about Tourette Syndrome that is based on myths and misconceptions. One is that the disorder is caused by psychological conflicts.

Another is that the tics are voluntary and that Tourette sufferers are deliberately using them to get attention.

A third one is that all people suffering from Tourette Syndrome swear profusely and that their behavior is totally incapacitated by their condition.

Only recently have new research and studies refuted these misconceptions. For example, there is a genetic component to the disorder, but genes are not the whole picture. Even in identical twins who have identical genes, both twins have the disorder only 50% of the time. In fraternal twins who share only half of their genes, the percentage drops to 8%.

What this means is that the condition is not caused by underlying psychological conflicts. If anything at all, it is caused by stress, probably inflicted on the individual by people who have no understanding of the disorder.

Neurologists do know that the condition is caused by abnormalities in the brain related to movement and that tics are neither voluntary nor preplanned.

Moreover, most people with Tourette Syndrome have mastered the art of self-control to such an extent they lead highly worthy and successful lives.

An example is Matt Doran, a Canadian surgeon and amateur pilot.

Another example is a jazz drummer described by Oliver Sacks as a musician whose condition imbued his music with unusual energy and Howie Mandel, famous and well received stand up comedian.

Jim Eisenreich, a retired major league baseball player who played with the 1993 National League Pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies and the 1997 World Series champions, the Florida Marlins, is another example.

There is also speculation that Mozart suffered from this condition.

More on Tourette disorder can be found here.

The Tourette Syndrome Child

I have taught a tourette syndrome child and I know that a lot of difficulty associated with these children is the public's misunderstanding of their behavior and situation.

Tourette syndrome or TS is a genetic, neuro-chemical disorder characterized by involuntary muscle movement called tics. These tics can appear as simple repetitive movements such as blinking or exaggerated actions like gyrations on the floor.

Working with children with TS can be challenging especially when they sometimes present with accompanying conditions such as ADHD and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Rage or aggressive behavior has been reported as a clinical problem in about 25-40% of TS patients. However, understanding the mechanics behind the syndrome can bring about successful management of the Tourette syndrome child in the classroom.

What is a Tic?

Integrating the TS child into a regular classroom works best when the children in the classroom understand what a tic is. Tics often begin as uncomfortable tingling urges or sensations to move a set of muscles. Studies suggest that repressing a tic is not a good idea because the urge becomes increasingly insistent until it becomes an outburst. Telling the children in class what a tic is and emphasizing how it is as natural as sneezing can teach them the importance of sympathy and understanding for those who are different. As well, this approach de-mystifies the syndrome. A tic is as natural to the TS child as a sneeze. Moreover, tics usually disappear in frequency and severity as the child gets older. They are barely noticeable after the age of 19.

This being said, it is worthy to note that many teachers claim that tics can be stopped in mid-track through diversion or distraction. Encouraging the Tourette syndrome child to concentrate on a set of math problems or reading a book can actually divert his attention away from the tic and calm down the involuntary muscle movements. One teacher claims that her TS child gets on the computer when she feels a tic coming one. Physically moving the mouse and concentrating on the screen are enough to stop the oncoming tic.

There are many other adjustments we can make to help our tourette syndrome children in the classroom and at home.

More on this at a later date!