Tourette syndrome in children: knowledge and services

Tourette syndrome (TS), an underdiagnosed motor and verbal tic disorder, has an average onset of 7 years and can lead to multiple educational and psychological problems even before a diagnosis is determined. Clinic social workers can be of tremendous assistance to both child and family in learning what TS is, working effectively with the school system, and resolving intrapersonal and intrafamily problems associated with TS. To do so, they can draw on theory and methodology generated in chronic illness, individual counseling, and family therapy.