Tourette’s in the Classroom

Many children and adolescents with Tourette disorder and related tic disorders (collectively referred to as TD) experience educational problems due to tics, learning disabilities, and related challenges. Youth with TD may struggle academically, exhibit poor grades, and find school to be an aversive, challenging, and/or anxiety-producing environment. Similarly, parents may also struggle with how best to help their children, and navigate the complex educational system. The goal of this chapter is to provide information regarding the challenges TD can have on a child’s education, and offer practical information for clinicians to assist parents help their child be successful in spite of significant challenges.