Tourette’s syndrome is a complex and distressing condition characterized by vocal and motor tics. It is also associated with attentional and obsessional difficulties, which may be of greater concern than the tics to the child and their family. Parents attending specialist clinics report that attentional and learning difficulties are their greatest concern. Teachers are also concerned with attentional problems. However, overall, they report fewer behaviours as being of concern and rate those that they do report as less severe than parents. This can lead to conflict, with parents often feeling blamed and criticized for poor parenting. The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive and systemic assessment of children incorporating multiple perspectives. The need for a combination of treatment approaches, including the provision of educational material to help teachers understand the complex nature of Tourette’s syndrome, is described.
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