Problems associated with Tourette's syndrome

Tourette's syndrome is often associated with psychological and behavioural problems, as well as learning difficulties.

However, Tourette's syndrome doesn't usually affect a person's intelligence.

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Up to 60% of children with Tourettes syndrome also develop  obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) .

OCD is a long-term mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

In children with Tourettes syndrome, the symptoms of OCD usually take the following forms:

• constantly checking things   for example, checking windows are locked or the door isn't left open
• a desire for order and symmetry   for example, their toys have to be lined up on the shelf in a specific way (if the order is disrupted, the child may become very upset)
• hoarding   holding on to objects with no real value, such as bus tickets or flyers for takeaways
• cleaning   constantly cleaning due to an obsessive fear of disease and contamination (this often takes the form of compulsive hand-washing)

A physical tic and compulsive behaviour may be combined. For example, the child might constantly pick up an object and then place it down, or repeatedly open and close a door.

OCD is treated using a combination of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and psychological therapy, such as behavioural therapy.

With treatment, most people's symptoms will improve and some people will achieve a complete cure.

It's thought to affect up to 70% of children with the syndrome.

ADHD is a behavioural condition causing problems with attention span, ability to control impulses, and ability to concentrate and plan ahead.

Children with Tourettes syndrome and ADHD usually find it very difficult to focus on specific tasks for a prolonged period of time and are often easily distracted.

This is because the basal ganglia is the part of the brain that controls habit learning, and is also the part most associated with Tourettes syndrome.

Therefore, children with Tourettes syndrome may have difficulty mastering skills and activities that other children pick up as a matter of routine, such as reading, writing and simple maths (adding and subtracting).

Some children with Tourettes syndrome may require additional specialised educational support. Your local education authority (LEA) can arrange an assessment of your childs educational requirements before drawing up a plan to meet their needs.

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