Tourette Syndrome (Tourette's) is a neurological condition that causes individuals to make involuntary vocal noises and movements called tics. It usually starts in childhood and can range from mild to very severe. Swearing or saying inappropriate things only affects 10% to 20% of people with Tourette's.
Tourette's was named after Gilles de la Tourette, a neurologist who first described it in the 19th Century. People with Tourette's may also have other conditions, like anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Reviewed February 2023 (details below)
Tourette Syndrome is an invisible disability
1-2% of the population have Tourette Syndrome
Tourette's is different for everyone Less than 10% of people swear, or say socially inappropriate things
Tics usually appear between ages of 2 and 14
Tourette Syndrome is believed to be more prevalent in males
Up to 85% have more than tics and experience co-concurring conditions and features
Tourette Syndrome stats & facts poster Download here
Tourette's is different for everyone
Each person with Tourette's have different tics and will experience diverse range of symptoms. People with Tourette's have a combination of physical and vocal tics and they usually appear in childhood between the ages of 2 and 14. Many individuals with Tourette's report experiencing a significant decline in physical and vocal tics in late adolescence and early adulthood.
Tics can be simple, involving just one body parts, such as eye blinking or sniffing, or complex, involving several parts of the body and can have a set pattern. They are not usually harmful for an individual, but can be painful and extremely tiring. Tics can be worse on some days than others and may be worse during periods of stress. Anxiety, tiredness or excitement.
Physical tics
These are movements of the body and can include blinking, eye rolling, grimacing, jerking of the head or limbs and touching objects and other people.
Vocal tics
These are sounds people make, such as grunting, throat clearing, whistling, coughing, tongue clicking, animal sounds, saying random words and phrases and repeating a sound, word or phrase.
Tourette's waxes and wanes and tics change over time. People with Tourette's may also have other conditions, like anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning difficulties. Fatigue, pain and difficulties with concentrating and memory can also be experienced.
Strong verbal skills, tenacity, creativity, empathy, and hyper-focus are associated with Tourette's.
Videos
Sources:
Genius Within: https://www.geniuswithin.org/
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tourettes-syndrome/
Tourette's Action: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/
https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/images/video/EmploymentAndTourette's-NancyDoyleWebinar.mp4
TS Parents Online: https://njcts.org/
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
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The content on this page has been reviewed by Tourette Action (February 2023).
Learn more in the following free CPD-accredited eLearning course provided by Tourettes Action: Tourettes Action eLearning Module (tourettes-action.org.uk)
The following short video was created by the Tourette’s community to give an overview of Tourette’s and how those with the condition are affected by it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGtW64w8Acg&t=9s
Workplace training can be provided by Tourettes Action
Contact Speakeasy for more information by clicking here.
