Motor Tics / Tourette Syndrome

Motor tics, including Tourette Syndrome is considered a neuro-behavioral disorder that typically appears in children between the ages of 5 – 7. They include an array of simple and complex motor tics as well as simple and complex verbal tics. Tics can be transient or chronic and often resolve during adolescence. Many children with simple tics show little concern over them. They and their friends pay little to no attention to them. Parents, on the other hand, often feel otherwise. It is not infrequent for me to tell parents that unless their child is disturbed by their tics, leave it alone. I offer this advice because most will resolve during adolescence without treatment, and treatment will require a considerable commitment from their child to be effective.

Behavioral research on the treatment of tics began with the research of Azrin and Nunn in 1973. They introduced Habit reversal training (HRT) as a method of eliminating “nervous habits and tics.” Decades of research followed and expanded the treatment protocol to include function-based interventions. CBIT (comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics) is now the treatment standard for motor tics / Tourette’s. I received training and was certified as a CBIT therapist in 2012. Whether a child or an adult, I will be happy to help you.