Myths About Tourette Syndrome Busted 

What do David Beckham, Billie Eilish, Dan Ackroyd, and Mozart have in common? Each of these creative, talented people has Tourette syndrome. 

Has your child been diagnosed with this condition? Having Tourette syndrome can be distressing and frightening at first. You may have observed tics and other symptoms but didn’t know what to make of them. 

The good news is that, like many other health issues, Tourette syndrome is manageable. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Charles Niesen and our team at AMS Neurology in Pasadena, California, treat children with Tourette syndrome. 

You no doubt want to learn all you can about your child’s condition. Following are some common myths about Tourette syndrome, followed by the facts. You can share this information with your child to help them understand their condition and not only live with it but thrive. 

People with Tourette syndrome can’t lead a normal life 

We’ve countered this myth by listing famous musicians, athletes, and comics with Tourette syndrome. Each of them has developed healthy coping mechanisms so they can go full speed ahead in achieving their goals. 

You can share positive stories of people with Tourette syndrome with your child. Your librarian can recommend excellent children’s books that will help your child make sense of their diagnosis. You can read these books together. They’re great prompts for open discussion about Tourette syndrome. 

People can control Tourette tics if they try 

Banishing tics isn’t a matter of will. Imaging studies of people with Tourette syndrome show differences in the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, thalamus, and cortex regions of the brain. 

In the previous century, when Tourette syndrome received its name, many people thought it might be caused by something they or their parents did. Thanks to modern medicine, we now know Tourette syndrome is a brain-based neurological difference. 

People with this disorder can’t stop their tics when they want to do so. Some patients may be able to hold their tics for a few minutes, but as pressure builds, the tics will appear in a burst. Tourette patients report that it takes tremendous concentration to try to control tics. In a TV interview with Ellen Degeneres, Billie Eilish explains that producers edit out her tics when she’s filmed. 

Everyone with Tourette syndrome curses 

In reality, only about 10% of people who have Tourette syndrome curse and make socially inappropriate remarks; the technical term is coprolalia. The reason you or others may associate this symptom with Tourette syndrome is likely because this is the way the condition is often portrayed in movies. 

For people with Tourette syndrome, cursing and making inappropriate remarks are vocal tics. They’re involuntary and not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings. As your child grows older, if they have this vocal tic, explaining it to those they come into contact with helps to defuse misunderstanding. 

It’s important to tell your child to give themselves grace and understanding if they have this symptom, but most children don’t have it. They can support someone who does have it and help explain the phenomenon to those who aren’t familiar with it. 

Children with Tourette tics outgrow them in adulthood

The onset of Tourette syndrome most often occurs between ages 3-9. Some of the worst cases of tics occur in the childhood and teen years. 

A small percentage of children with tics from Tourette syndrome no longer have them in adulthood, but the great majority continue to have tics as adults. By adulthood, about 1 in 100 people experience mild tics with Tourette syndrome. 

Tourette syndrome is rare 

Tourette syndrome isn’t rare. It’s underdiagnosed. Experts estimate that about 1 in 50 children in the United States have Tourette syndrome or a tic disorder. Census data shows that about .6% of school-age children have the condition. 

You play an important role in your child’s response to Tourette syndrome. Keep a positive focus and get professional support to help your child navigate their diagnosis. Learn about Tourette syndrome through organizations like the Tourette Association of America and other online groups. 

Call our office at AMS Neurology or book an appointment online today if you suspect your child has Tourette syndrome.