How to Manage Your Child’s Tourette Syndrome Symptoms

If your child has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, you now have an explanation for the unexpected sounds and movements your child makes. Tourette syndrome isn’t something your child can stop on their own. It’s a neurological disorder. 

Although there’s no cure for this condition, you as their parent can help your child navigate and manage their Tourette symptoms with the help of medical professionals. 

Board-certified pediatric neurologist Dr. Charles Niesen and our team at AMS Neurology in Pasadena, California, treat Tourette syndrome in children. Medication and professional therapy help your child manage their condition. 

You’re your child’s everyday guide, helping to ensure your loved one develops to their full potential. Although you may have negative feelings about your child’s Tourette syndrome, it’s important to get a handle on your emotions and prevent infecting your child with those feelings. 

Following are tips on managing your child’s Tourette symptoms. 

Seek support for yourself 

The Tourette Association of America (TAA) and other organizations offer free resources for parents. You’ll learn the best ways to navigate your child’s symptoms and how to use evidence-based strategies to help your child thrive. 

Don’t react to your child’s tics

Although it may be difficult at first, train yourself to ignore your child’s tics unless they become a safety issue. Reacting to tics may reinforce them. Explain the strategy to friends and family and ask them not to react. 

You ache for your loved one with Tourette syndrome. Giving voice to your anxiety or frustration with your child’s condition increases your child’s negative feelings of shame, depression, and anxiety. Train yourself to keep your expression calm. 

Help your child practice techniques to reduce stress 

When your child is under stress, their tics can worsen. They learn stress reduction techniques during AMS Neurology appointments. We provide resources to you as the parent to help your child practice strategies such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and visual imagery. We recommend therapists who can help your child attend to their strengths and avoid a sense of shame that can develop from having Tourette syndrome. 

Coordinate with your child’s school

Children can make cruel comments, and bullying is a persistent problem. Ask the school administrators to ensure that your child’s teachers and counselors are trained to understand Tourette syndrome. 

Meet with your child’s teachers and counselor before school begins each year and provide AMS Neurology’s recommendations for working with your loved one along with information from the Tourette Association of America. 

Teach your child self-advocacy 

Your child’s therapist teaches your child or teen self-advocacy techniques to learn how to speak up for themselves and tell others about Tourette syndrome. 

Call our office at AMS Neurology or book an appointment online today if you suspect your child has Tourette syndrome.