Tic Disorders in Children: Types and When to Worry

Key takeaways

Tics are sudden, repeated movements (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics), from simple blinks and sniffs to complex sequences, and many children who have them need no treatment.⁠^1,4
The diagnosis depends on the kind of tics and how long they have lasted: under a year is a provisional tic disorder, over a year a persistent tic disorder, and both motor and vocal tics for over a year Tourette syndrome.⁠⁵
Tics are common: prevalence studies found a provisional (transient) tic disorder in about 3% of children, and studies estimate that about 1 in 162 children has Tourette syndrome, about half of them undiagnosed.⁠^6,7
Tics wax and wane, get worse with stress, excitement, tiredness and attention, and are usually worst around ages 10 to 12; by early adulthood about three-quarters of children with Tourette syndrome have greatly reduced tics.⁠^2,3
Throat clearing, sniffing and coughing are common vocal tics that are sometimes first investigated as allergy or reflux; a cough is called a tic only after a medical evaluation.⁠^8,9
Most children with Tourette syndrome also have another condition, most often ADHD, OCD or anxiety, which can matter more than the tics.⁠^3,7,10
When tics need treatment, the American Academy of Neurology recommends offering behavioral therapy (CBIT) before medication; watchful waiting is fine when tics cause no problems.⁠¹¹
See your child’s doctor if tics cause pain, distress, bullying or school problems, or start suddenly and severely alongside new anxiety, OCD or loss of skills.⁠^2,12

What are tics?

Tics are sudden twitches, movements or sounds that a person makes again and again and cannot simply stop, such as blinking over and over or making a grunting sound.⁠¹

The CDC compares a tic to a hiccup: you may not want it, but your body does it anyway, and a person can sometimes hold a tic back for a while before it has to come out.⁠¹

Many tics start with an uncomfortable feeling that builds up until the tic relieves it, called a premonitory urge. Because the tic answers the urge, many people describe tics as feeling partly voluntary.⁠^2,8

A tic disorder is the diagnosis given when tics are the main problem; doctors name the type by which tics a child has and how long they have lasted.⁠⁵

Tics are not usually serious, and they do not damage the brain.⁠²

What are the types of tics? Motor, vocal, simple and complex

There are two types of tics, motor (movements) and vocal (sounds, also called phonic tics), and each can be simple or complex.⁠¹

Types of tics, with examples
Type of tic	Examples
Simple motor tics	Blinking, squinting, wrinkling the nose, grimacing, shrugging the shoulders, jerking the head or an arm.⁠^1,2
Complex motor tics	Several body parts moving in a pattern, such as bobbing the head while jerking an arm and then jumping.⁠¹
Simple vocal tics	Sniffing, throat clearing, coughing, grunting, humming.⁠^1,2
Complex vocal tics	Yelling out a word or phrase, or repeating sounds or words, their own or other people’s.⁠^1,2,8

The first tics are often motor tics of the head and neck. Complex tics generally appear later than simple ones, and vocal tics often follow motor tics by a year or two.⁠^1,8

Swearing tics (coprolalia) are much rarer than television suggests: most people with Tourette syndrome never have them, and they are not needed for the diagnosis.⁠¹

Tic disorder types: provisional, persistent and Tourette syndrome

The three tic disorders in the DSM-5-TR differ by which tics a child has and how long they have lasted. In each, the tics begin before age 18, and a doctor checks that they are not caused by a medicine, a drug or another condition, such as seizures.⁠⁵

The three tic disorders (DSM-5-TR, as summarized by the CDC)
Tic disorder	What it means
Provisional tic disorder	Motor tics, vocal tics or both, present for less than a year.⁠⁵
Persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder	Motor tics or vocal tics, but not both, present for at least a year.⁠⁵
Tourette syndrome	At least two motor tics and at least one vocal tic, not necessarily at the same time, with tics present for at least a year.⁠⁵

So yes, a child can have tics without Tourette syndrome. A child who has blinked and sniffed for two months has a provisional tic disorder, whatever happens later.⁠⁵

Researchers who follow children from their first tic now question how much the one-year line means: in their cohorts, most children with a provisional tic disorder still had some tics a year later, usually milder.⁠^13,14

Tourette syndrome has its own guide: Tourette syndrome in children.

How common are tics in children?

Tics are common. In a 2012 meta-analysis, a provisional (then called transient) tic disorder was the most common tic disorder in children, affecting about 3% (2.99%).⁠⁶

Tourette syndrome affected 0.77% of children in the same analysis, and was about four times as common in boys (1.06%) as in girls (0.25%).⁠⁶

Studies that counted undiagnosed children estimate that 1 in 162 children (0.6%) has Tourette syndrome, while CDC survey data show about 1 in 333 US children has been diagnosed, which suggests about half are never diagnosed.⁠⁷

Counting Tourette syndrome and persistent tic disorders together, the CDC estimates about 1 in 50 children aged 5 to 14 may be affected.⁠⁷

At what age do tics start, and can toddlers have tics?

Tics usually start between ages 4 and 6, and Tourette syndrome symptoms usually begin between 5 and 10; tics then tend to be at their worst between 10 and 12.⁠^1,3

In a CDC survey of parents, tics were first noticed at about age 6 on average, and diagnosis came about 2 years later.⁠⁷

Repetitive movements that begin in a baby or toddler may be stereotypies rather than tics: stereotypies usually start between birth and age 3, while tics generally begin later.⁠⁸

Very occasionally, tics start in adulthood.⁠²

Is throat clearing or sniffing a tic?

Often, yes: throat clearing and sniffing are typical simple vocal tics.⁠^1,2

They are also easily mistaken for something else. The European tic guidelines note that children whose main tics are throat clearing or sniffing are sometimes sent first to an ear, nose and throat specialist for suspected allergy, or to a gastroenterologist for reflux.⁠⁸

Clues that point to a tic rather than allergy or a cold are the features all tics share: the child can hold it back for a while, it fades when they are absorbed in something, it gets worse when someone mentions it, it changes over time, and it is often preceded by an urge.⁠⁹

Signs a sniff or throat clear may be a tic

No cold or allergy symptoms to explain it, once a doctor has looked for them⁠^8,9
It eases when your child is busy or absorbed in an activity⁠⁹
It increases when people talk about it, or when your child is tired, excited or stressed⁠^2,9
Other tics come and go alongside it, such as blinking or nose scrunching⁠^1,2

A doctor should still check for allergy or reflux first; a vocal tic is a diagnosis made once those are not the explanation.⁠^8,9

What is a cough tic (tic cough)?

A cough tic, or tic cough, is a repeated cough that is a vocal tic rather than a sign of lung or airway disease; it was previously called habit cough.⁠⁹

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recommends diagnosing tic cough only in a chronic cough that is still unexplained after a full medical evaluation, and only when it shows the core features of tics: it can be suppressed, it fades with distraction, it responds to suggestion, it varies, and an urge comes before it.⁠⁹

Some familiar rules of thumb are unreliable. The CHEST panel advises that a barking or honking cough, or a cough that stops during sleep, should not be used on its own to diagnose or rule out a habit or tic cough.⁠⁹

A cough can be the only tic, or one of many in a child with Tourette syndrome. Once it is diagnosed as a tic, it is managed like other tics; when it is disruptive, that can include behavioral therapy for tics.⁠^9,11

A long-lasting cough needs a doctor first. A tic cough is diagnosed only after a full medical evaluation has looked for other causes, such as airway problems, reflux or postnasal drip.⁠⁹

What causes tics in children?

The exact cause is not known. Tics are thought to come from differences in the parts of the brain that control movement, and research suggests Tourette syndrome is an inherited, genetic condition.⁠^1,2

Tics often run in families. Studies have also linked smoking during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, low birth weight and infection with Tourette syndrome, but more research is needed to understand those links.⁠^1,2

Stress, anxiety, tiredness and excitement are common triggers: they can bring tics on or make them worse in a child who has them.⁠²

Less often, tics have another cause: illegal stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines, or other conditions such as cerebral palsy or Huntington’s disease.⁠²

A very sudden, severe start together with other new symptoms is a different picture, covered in the section on PANDAS and functional tic-like behaviors below.⁠^5,12

Why do tics come and go, and what makes them worse?

Waxing and waning is part of the condition: the type of tics and how often they happen change a lot over time, and tics can appear, disappear and come back.⁠^1,11

So judge tics over months, not days. A bad week is often followed by a better one, and something tried during a flare can seem to work simply because the flare passes.⁠^1,11

Stress and anxiety
Tics often increase at stressful times.⁠²
Tiredness
Tics are often worse when a child is tired.⁠²
Excitement and happiness
Good excitement, like a birthday or a holiday, can increase tics too.⁠²
Attention
Tics tend to get worse when they are talked about or focused on.⁠²

Tics are also suggestible: seeing or hearing about a tic can bring it on.⁠^8,9

Can a child stop a tic? The urge and holding tics in

Only for a while. Many children can hold tics back for a short time, but it takes effort, and eventually the tic has to come out.⁠^1,2

In a study of 89 children within months of their first tic, 69 could already suppress some of their tics.⁠¹³

Children often hold tics in at the doctor’s office, which is one reason video recordings from home help with the assessment.⁠⁸

That some control is possible does not mean tics are deliberate or just psychological, or that a child should be able to stop them. Behavioral therapy builds on this partial control, but it is a skill learned with a therapist.⁠⁴

When should you worry about a child's tics?

Mild tics that do not bother your child do not always need a doctor, and they can disappear as quickly as they appeared. Talk to your child’s doctor if you are worried, or if the tics are causing any of these:⁠^2,5

Pain or injury
Some tics cause pain or discomfort, or lead a child to hurt themselves by accident.⁠²
Trouble at school or with daily life
Tics that interfere with reading, writing, school or play.⁠^2,15
Distress, embarrassment or bullying
Tics that cause emotional or social problems or isolation.⁠²
Tics becoming more frequent or severe
Tics that occur very regularly or keep getting worse.⁠²

Call the doctor promptly if:⁠^2,5,12

Tics start suddenly and severely
Especially with sudden obsessions or compulsions, severe anxiety, mood changes or trouble eating; this pattern needs a prompt assessment.⁠¹²
Your child loses skills
Losing abilities they had, such as age-appropriate language, is one of the PANS criteria and needs prompt medical attention.⁠¹²
Tics come with anger, depression or self-harm
These need help in their own right.⁠²
Movements look different from tics
For example, always the same body part, the same way each time: a tic disorder is diagnosed only when another condition, such as seizures, is not the cause.⁠^5,8

How are tic disorders diagnosed?

There is no blood test or scan for tics. A doctor diagnoses a tic disorder from the child’s symptoms and history: which tics, when they started and how long they have lasted.⁠^1,5

Brain scans and EEGs do not help establish the diagnosis and are done only when something else needs checking.⁠⁸

Describe the tics. What they look and sound like, when they started, and what makes them better or worse.⁠⁵
Bring a short video. Tics often stop in the exam room; film calmly, without drawing attention to the tic.⁠^2,8
Check for other conditions. ADHD, OCD, anxiety and mood should be assessed in every child with tics.⁠^11,16
Gauge the impact. How much the tics affect your child, from their own point of view and yours, guides treatment.⁠¹¹

Start with your child’s healthcare provider; the Tourette Association of America can help find local providers with experience in tics.⁠⁵

Is it a tic or something else?

Several other movements and sounds can look like tics; the European assessment guidelines single out these.⁠⁸

Tics vs stimming (motor stereotypies)

Stereotypies, repetitive movements such as flapping the hands or rocking, usually start earlier (birth to age 3), repeat in a rhythmic way, involve more of the body and stay the same for long periods, while tics come and go and change.⁠⁸

Stereotypies are not usually preceded by an urge, often seem soothing or joyful, and are common in autistic children but can also be part of typical development. Our guide to stimming covers them in detail.⁠⁸

Tics vs seizures

Movements or sounds caused by focal epileptic activity usually involve one specific body part, look the same every time, and may follow a trigger such as flashing light; a doctor will investigate if this is suspected. See seizure disorders.⁠⁸

Sudden tics in teens: what are functional tic-like behaviors?

Some teens, more often girls, develop tic-like movements and sounds suddenly, with no history of tics. Doctors call these functional tic-like behaviors; they can occur in groups of children and may need different treatment from tic disorders.⁠⁵

Reports describe them reaching peak severity within hours to days, a fulminant start not commonly seen in Tourette syndrome, and exposure to tic videos on social media was a common feature.⁠¹⁷

Can strep cause tics? PANDAS and PANS

PANDAS and PANS are rare conditions in which OCD or tics start very suddenly and severely, reaching full intensity within a few days, often with anxiety, mood changes, eating problems, bedwetting, handwriting changes or loss of skills; PANDAS follows a strep infection.⁠¹²

A past strep throat plus tics does not mean PANDAS: strep is common in school-age children, and the diagnosis needs a sudden onset or worsening linked to an infection.⁠¹²

The link remains debated. A large European study found no specific relationship between strep infections and tic flares, and the European guidelines do not recommend testing children with tics for PANDAS.⁠^8,18

Tics vs OCD compulsions

Complex tics and compulsions can look alike, and they often occur together; telling them apart is part of a specialist assessment. See our guide to OCD in children.⁠¹⁹

Tics with ADHD, OCD, anxiety and autism

Most children with Tourette syndrome have at least one other condition: about 83% in CDC survey data, most often ADHD, anxiety or OCD.⁠^1,7

In a study of 1,374 people with Tourette syndrome, 85.7% had another psychiatric condition at some point; 72.1% met the criteria for OCD or ADHD, and mood, anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders each affected about 30%.⁠¹⁰

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) puts ADHD at 30% to 50% of people with Tourette syndrome and OCD at 10% to 50%, and asks clinicians to assess every person with tics for both and make sure they are treated appropriately.⁠¹¹

These conditions are often more impairing, and more lasting, than the tics themselves. See our guides to ADHD, OCD and anxiety.⁠³

Mood problems become more common in the teen years. The AAN notes a higher risk of suicide attempts in people with Tourette syndrome in a national registry study, and asks clinicians to ask about suicidal thoughts; if you are worried about your child’s immediate safety, call or text 988.⁠¹¹

Autism and tics can occur together: in one study, autism symptoms at a child’s first visit helped predict how their tics developed over the next year. Many repetitive movements in autistic children are stereotypies rather than tics, and a clinician can tell the two apart.⁠^8,14

How are tics treated?

Many children need no treatment beyond understanding: when tics cause no pain, distress or problems, the CDC notes that treatment is not needed, and the AAN calls watchful waiting an acceptable approach.⁠^4,11

Education and watchful waiting

The AAN says clinicians must explain the natural history of tics to families, and should point teachers and classmates to education resources such as the Tourette Association of America.⁠¹¹

There is no evidence that treatment works better the earlier it starts, so choosing to wait does not mean missing a window.⁠¹¹

What is CBIT, the behavioral therapy for tics?

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is the first-line treatment when tics cause problems. The AAN recommends offering it before medication, and the European guidelines recommend behavioral therapy as first-line for children and adults.⁠^11,20

CBIT combines habit reversal (becoming aware of each tic and learning a competing movement that makes the tic impossible), relaxation, and changes to situations that make tics worse, usually over about 8 sessions.⁠^4,11

In the main trial of 126 children aged 9 to 17, 52.5% of those given behavioral therapy were much or very much improved, against 18.5% of those given supportive therapy and education.⁠²¹

It can be delivered by video when no trained therapist is nearby, and exposure and response prevention is an alternative behavioral approach.⁠^2,11

Medication for tics

Medicines can reduce tics that are severe or disruptive, but they do not eliminate them, and their side effects, such as tiredness or weight gain, can sometimes be worse than the tics.⁠⁴

The AAN guideline covers several groups of medicines and asks doctors to weigh benefits against side effects, monitor them, and regularly check whether medicine is still needed, since tics often improve on their own over time.⁠¹¹

When ADHD or OCD is present, treating it properly matters too; for OCD alongside tics, cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment.⁠¹¹

Set realistic goals. Treatment rarely stops tics completely; the aim is fewer, milder tics and less impact on daily life.⁠¹¹

What can parents do to help a child with tics?

The most helpful response is usually not to react to the tic itself: tics tend to get worse when they are talked about or focused on.⁠²

At home

Ignore the tic, not the child, and ask family, teachers and coaches to do the same.⁠^2,4
Protect sleep and plan for busy, exciting or stressful days, when tics tend to rise.⁠²
Notice the situations that make tics worse; CBIT works partly by changing them.⁠⁴
Explain tics to the people around your child: understanding reduces teasing and stress.⁠^4,5
Build confidence through friendships and interests, which experts see as crucial to a good outcome in adulthood.⁠³
Use positive rather than punitive discipline, at home and at school.⁠¹⁵

Parenting a child with tics and related conditions can be stressful, and parent training has helped families of children with Tourette syndrome and disruptive behavior.⁠^4,7

How can school help a child with tics?

Tics can make reading and writing harder, a child may be distracted by tics or by trying not to tic, and children with tics are more likely to be bullied.⁠¹⁵

Children with Tourette syndrome have the same range of intelligence as other children, but tics, attention problems and learning difficulties can mean they need support, such as a different seat, extra time on tests, or a computer for writing.⁠^4,15

Support can be written into an IEP, if a child needs special education, or a 504 plan. Federal special education rules name Tourette syndrome as a health problem that can qualify a child under Other Health Impairment.⁠^4,22

Our school evaluation request letter helps you ask the school to evaluate your child in writing.

Do tics go away?

Often they ease a great deal, though they may not disappear completely. Tics are usually at their worst around ages 10 to 12 and then decline through adolescence.⁠^3,11

By early adulthood, roughly three-quarters of children with Tourette syndrome have greatly reduced tics and over a third are tic free.⁠³

In a Danish study that followed 227 young people for 6 years, 17.7% of those over 16 had no tics, 59.5% had minimal or mild tics, and 22.8% still had moderate or severe tics.⁠²³

Newly started tics usually persist but quiet down. In a St. Louis study, 78 of 79 children still had tics a year after their first one, though in 29 they showed only on video, and medical impact two to four years later was low.⁠^13,14

Some people do have tics into adulthood, and in some cases tics get worse in adult life.⁠¹

Frequently asked questions

Can you have tics without Tourette syndrome?

Yes. Tourette syndrome needs at least two motor tics and one vocal tic lasting a year or more. A child with only motor or only vocal tics, or tics for less than a year, has a persistent or provisional tic disorder instead.⁠⁵

Should I tell my child to stop ticcing?

No. Tics tend to get worse when they are talked about or focused on, and a child cannot simply stop them. Not reacting to the tic, while staying warm with your child, helps more.⁠^2,4

Why are my child's tics worse in the evening?

Tiredness is a known trigger for tics, as are stress and excitement, so a long or eventful day can leave tics more noticeable by evening.⁠²

Can stress or anxiety cause tics?

Stress and anxiety are common triggers that can bring tics on or make them worse. The underlying cause is thought to lie in the parts of the brain that control movement, often with a genetic part. Anxiety disorders are also common alongside tics and deserve treatment of their own.⁠^1,2,10

Are tics dangerous?

Tics are not usually serious and do not damage the brain. A few forceful tics can cause pain or injury, which is a reason to see a doctor.⁠²

Can a 2- or 3-year-old have tics?

Tics usually begin between ages 4 and 6. Repetitive movements that start in a toddler may be stereotypies instead, which usually begin before age 3; your child’s doctor can tell them apart.⁠^3,8

Is swearing (coprolalia) common with tics?

No. Most people with Tourette syndrome never have swearing or other socially inappropriate tics, and they are not needed for the diagnosis.⁠¹

Are tics inherited?

Often. Tics can run in families, and research suggests Tourette syndrome is an inherited genetic condition, although scientists do not know its exact cause.⁠^1,2

Can tics come back after they stop?

Yes. Tics can appear, disappear and reappear over months and years, which is why a quiet spell does not always mean they are gone for good.⁠¹

Will ADHD medicine make my child's tics worse?

Not usually, according to the trials the AAN reviewed: in children with tics and ADHD, several ADHD medicines reduced ADHD symptoms without worsening tics, and some reduced tics. Decide with your child’s doctor.⁠¹¹

What kind of doctor treats tics?

Start with your pediatrician. Treatment guidelines for tics come from neurologists (the American Academy of Neurology) and child psychiatrists (the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), and therapists trained in CBIT provide behavioral therapy.⁠^4,11,16

Can a sniffing or cough tic be mistaken for allergies?

Yes. Children with throat-clearing or sniffing tics are sometimes first referred for allergy or reflux, and a cough should be called a tic only after a full medical evaluation has looked for other causes.⁠^8,9

Sources

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“Tics typically have an onset between the ages of 4 and 6 years and reach their worst-ever severity between the ages of 10 and 12 years.” “By early adulthood, roughly three-quarters of children with TS will have greatly diminished tic symptoms and over one-third will be tic free.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of Tourette syndrome. Updated March 27, 2026. “Many people with TS have tics that do not get in the way of their living their daily life and do not need any treatment.” “Medications do not eliminate tics completely.” Checked October 22, 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosing tic disorders. Updated March 24, 2026. “Three tic disorders are included in the DSM-5-TR”; “These types of tic-like behaviors are more common among teenagers and more often seen in girls than boys.” Checked October 22, 2026.
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“patients with predominant vocal tics such as throat clearing or sniffing are sometimes first referred to otolaryngologists, when an allergy is suspected”; “Neuroimaging, EEG and further additional examinations do not add value in establishing the diagnosis of a tic disorder”; “Stereotypies generally start at an earlier age than tics (between age 0–3 years)”.
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“The core clinical features of tics include suppressibility, distractibility, suggestibility, variability, and the presence of a premonitory sensation.”
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1,374 people with Tourette syndrome: “The lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric comorbidity among individuals with TS was 85.7%”; “72.1% of the individuals met the criteria for OCD or ADHD”.
Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, Martino D, Jankovic J, Cavanna AE, et al.; American Academy of Neurology. Practice guideline recommendations summary: treatment of tics in people with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896–906. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466 (PMID 31061208). Checked October 22, 2026.
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“Clinicians should inform patients and caregivers that watchful waiting is an acceptable approach in people who do not experience functional impairment from their tics (Level B).” “For people with tics who have access to CBIT, clinicians should offer CBIT as an initial treatment option relative to medication (Level B).”
National Institute of Mental Health. PANS and PANDAS: questions and answers. “The exact prevalences of PANS and PANDAS are unknown, but these conditions are considered rare.” “children with PANS or PANDAS have a very sudden onset or worsening of symptoms” Checked October 22, 2026.
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89 children: “At 12 months, 79 returned, and 78 still had tics.” “Most who returned at 2-4 years still had tics known to the child and family, but medical impact was low.”
Kim S, Greene DJ, Bihun EC, Koller JM, Hampton JM, Acevedo H, et al. Provisional tic disorder is not so transient. Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1):3951. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40133-4 (PMID 30850688). Checked October 22, 2026.
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“Tic symptoms improved on a group level at the 12-month follow-up, and only two children had more than minimal impairment due to tics.” “tics were present in all children at follow-up”.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information about Tourette syndrome for educators. Updated March 27, 2026. “some tics make it difficult to read or write”; “Children with tics are more likely to be bullied than children without tics”. Checked October 22, 2026.
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“Recommendations are provided for a comprehensive evaluation to include common comorbid disorders and for a hierarchical approach to multimodal interventions.”
Arbuckle AL, Bihun EC, Schlaggar BL, Black KJ. Functional tic-like presentations differ strikingly from provisional tic disorder. F1000Research. 2023;11:1566. doi:10.12688/f1000research.129252.2 (PMID 37224324). Cases defined by “rapid onset of complex tic-like behaviors, with escalation to peak severity within hours to days”. Checked October 22, 2026.
Müller-Vahl KR, Szejko N, Verdellen C, Roessner V, Hoekstra PJ, Hartmann A, et al. European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders: summary statement. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2022;31(3):377–382. doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01832-4 (PMID 34244849). “Therefore, we do not recommend assessment of children for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS)-related TS.” Checked October 22, 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other concerns and conditions of Tourette syndrome. Updated March 27, 2026. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between complex tics that a child with TS may have and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.” Checked October 22, 2026.
Andrén P, Jakubovski E, Murphy TL, Woitecki K, Tarnok Z, Zimmerman-Brenner S, et al. European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders, version 2.0. Part II: psychological interventions. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2022;31(3):403–423. doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01845-z (PMID 34313861). Checked October 22, 2026.
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“When psychoeducation alone is insufficient, BT (more specifically HRT/CBIT and ERP) is recommended as a first-line intervention for children and adults with tic disorders.”
Piacentini J, Woods DW, Scahill L, Wilhelm S, Peterson AL, Chang S, et al. Behavior therapy for children with Tourette disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010;303(19):1929–1937. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.607 (PMID 20483969). 126 children aged 9 to 17; the rate of positive response was “significantly higher for the behavioral (52.5%; 32/61) versus control (18.5%; 12/65) intervention”. Checked October 22, 2026.
U.S. Department of Education (eCFR). 34 CFR 300.8, Child with a disability. Other health impairment includes limited alertness “due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome”. Checked October 22, 2026.
Groth C, Mol Debes N, Rask CU, Lange T, Skov L. Course of Tourette syndrome and comorbidities in a large prospective clinical study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2017;56(4):304–312. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.010 (PMID 28335874). Checked October 22, 2026.
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“17.7% of participants above age 16 years had no tics, whereas 59.5% had minimal or mild tics, and 22.8% had moderate or severe tics”.

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