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Behavior and Self-Esteem of Children and Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome

The self esteem of the TS child/adolescent can be adversely affected when the child, family or peers take a negative view towards TS symptoms. They may blame themselves for having tics, and feel out of control because they can’t stop them. Those who can suppress tics at times, may feel confused as to why they can’t suppress them all of the time.

Part of individual and family counseling should entail educating the child/adolescent and family about the neurological nature of TS. This helps to decrease the child’s negative feelings about themselves and assists the family in supporting the child more effectively.

Due to limitations the child may have, parents often find themselves more involved with their child than other parents. In turn, their child may be more dependent on them due to the impact of the disorder. These dynamics can sometimes make separation difficult during adolescence and if not addressed, can create difficulties for the adolescents in becoming an independent adult. Practitioners can assist TS adolescents and their parents with this separation process.

Because TS is a genetic disorder, parents often feel guilty about having passed it on to their child. They may need help letting go of these feelings. Sometimes a parent realizes they have TS as a result of their child’s having been diagnosed with it. If a parent also has TS, they may need help understanding and dealing with their own disorder and separating their issues from their child's.

Mental health professionals may need to assist with other family dynamics. For example, family members may be annoyed at a loud vocal tic the TS child has. Is it reasonable or is it blaming the child to ask them to tic in another part of the home if others need quiet? Family sessions can be helpful in negotiating these kinds of issues.

Sometimes there are sibling issues that need to be addressed. For example, the sibling without TS may feel they get less attention than the affected sibling. They may feel overly responsible about not causing “problems” for their parents because they feel the affected sibling is draining them. Mental health professionals can help the family plan a course of action.

At school, staff may misinterpret the TS child’s/adolescent’s tics as negative behavior. The tics themselves may create obstacles in learning. Mental health professionals can assist the family in educating staff about the disorder and interventions they can make to help the child if needed, such as a designated place to tic privately if desired by the child; unlimited time for tests; an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan), etc.

Peers may be teasing and rejecting the TS child/adolescent.. They may need help developing strategies to deal with this. Sometimes helping them role play how to explain their TS to peers, empowers them to speak up. Once their peers understand the disorder, the teasing may stop.

Groups for children and adolescents with TS can help them to improve social skills, to have a supportive peer experience, and to feel less socially isolated. The group can help members to see that they are not alone in coping with TS and that others are struggling with similar issues.

Groups for parents can provide an opportunity to learn more about the disorder, how to manage TS and related issues affecting their child, share information, and meet others experiencing the same concerns. Parents also make connections, exchange ideas and resources, and “refuel.”

continue: Adults with Tourette Syndrome

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Reviewed: 03/2006