pediatrics
Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome in Children and Adolescents
Key Points
Tics are repeated, sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic muscle movements or vocalizations that develop in children < 18 years old. Tics are common among children, but coprolalia, a notoriously known form of vocal tic, is rare. Simple tics are very brief movements and/or vocalizations (eg, head jerk, grunt), typically without social meaning. Complex tics may appear to have social meaning (ie, be recognizable gestures or words) and thus seem intentional, but they are not. Strongly consider Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) as the initial treatment option for tics. An alpha-adrenergic agonist such asclonidineorguanfacineis beneficial for both mild tics and ADHD. An antipsychotic may lessen severe or difficult to control tics but may cause more adverse effects. Comorbidities (eg, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder) are common and must also be diagnosed and treated. 