'Rules' and Tourette Syndrome

For children with Tourette Syndrome, in the classroom, following & understanding 'Rules' may be one of their greatest challenges! Impulsiveness, compulsions and obsessions, attention deficit, reactivity, problems with conversational turn-taking/reciprocity, vocal tics and many other Tourette's behaviours may cause difficulty and frustration in the structured and often 'low-tolerance' environment of the classroom and school. The effort and stress that results from trying to conform to sometimes bewildering, and often inflexible, rules can be an additional source of great anxiety that compounds that due to suppressing and hiding involuntary tics. Increased stress may have a very significant impact on the severity of tics and other Tourette symptoms placing a child with TS at even further educational disadvantage. Clearly rules and procedures are an essential part of the smooth running of schools and managing children's education in a classroom setting however teachers, if they are to successfully 'include' a child with TS will have to find a balance in allowing more flexibility for that child while maintaining overall class discipline. Achieving fairness may be a challenge as other children may not understand rules being applied differently to different students. If the child (and their parents) are willing, an informative talk or video presentation on TS and what it is may be very helpful. You can find links on the 'Resources' page to some useful information. One approach that has proven extremely inappropriate in all cases is that of continual and consistent admonishment of the child with TS. Often just 'not reacting' (especially negatively) to vocal tics and other TS behaviours helps diffuse, and avoid increasing, stress for the child and, surprisingly, other members of the class will rapidly accept and understand once they have had TS explained to them.
Teaching/educational resources
TSA Youth Ambassador video/presentation
Brad Cohen visits a UK school


A fictional but realistic portrayal of a TS child responding to the 'Rules'  
Courtesy of THINKFilm Co.