Treatment for Tourette's disorder (TD) focuses on managing tics-helping your child and others cope with the tics. Most cases of Tourette's disorder are mild and will not need medical treatment. Educating yourself, your child, and people who have regular contact with your child (such as teachers) about Tourette's disorder will help your child thrive. Creating a supportive home and school environment where tics are accepted and accommodated is also important.

Growth and development: Helping your child build self-esteem

In some cases, such as when other conditions are present, counseling may be helpful. If your child's tics affect his or her life significantly, medicines or behavior therapies such as habit reversal may be considered. The tics can be decreased, but there is no cure for Tourette's disorder at this time.

Finding the right treatment for Tourette's disorder can be time-consuming, especially if other disorders and problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are present. The Tourette's disorder organizations listed in the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic often can refer you to health professionals who understand Tourette's disorder and the treatment available.

If Tourette's disorder occurs along with other disorders or problems, work with your child and doctor to find out which symptoms are causing the most difficulties. Get input from teachers to give you a sense of what is happening in your child's school environment. (Your child's symptoms may be quite different in school than at home.)

Targeting specific problems is important so you know which to treat first. Some medicines that are used to treat tics may not help with any other condition.

Sometimes tics can be reduced by first treating conditions that can occur along with TD. This is because some conditions, such as behavioral problems, can make tics worse. Conditions such as depression or anxiety usually need to be treated before TD.

For more information on conditions that often occur with Tourette's disorder, see the following topics:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Depression in Children and Teens

Because everyone who has Tourette's disorder has unique tics and considerations, treatment must be tailored to fit the child.

• Children with mild tics may only need extra support and changes made to their environment to avoid triggering tics. Often tics will improve from making a few changes at school, such as allowing your child to take tests untimed and in a private room. It may also help to take steps to reduce problems that your child has as a result of the tics, such as being embarrassed about having tics when around other kids. For example, you may be able to talk with teachers about showing a video to your child's classmates about Tourette's disorder.
• Children whose tics seriously affect their quality of life or ability to function in school, at home, and in the community may benefit from medicine or therapy to control their tics.