Tourette syndrome facts for kids
Tourette syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder. Tourette syndrome can also be called Tourette's syndrome, Tourette's disorder, GTS, Tourette's, or TS. People that have Tourette's have tics (movements or sounds that the person cannot easily control). Tourette's is normally inherited, and starts in childhood.
People who have Tourette's have a normal life expectancy and normal intelligence.
Tics are normally not as bad as people get older. Adults with severe Tourette's are rare. Fewer than 15% of people with Tourette's have coprolalia. Coprolalia is using words or phrases that some people might find offensive without being able to stop saying them. These may include curse words.
Most people with Tourette's do not need treatment. There are drugs that can help people manage tics. There are also therapies that can help people live easier with Tourette's.
The disease is named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette. He was one of the first doctors to describe the symptoms.
Images for kids
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André Malraux (center) was a French Minister of Culture, author and adventurer who may have had Tourette syndrome.
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Clonidine is one of the medications typically tried first when medication is needed for Tourette's. It is available as a pill or a transdermal (skin) patch.
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Tim Howard, described in 2019 by a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times as the "greatest goalkeeper in U.S. soccer history", attributes his success in the sport to his Tourette's.
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Samuel Johnson c. 1772. Johnson is likely to have had Tourette syndrome.
See also
In Spanish: Síndrome de Tourette para niños
