Tourette Syndrome

“Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements.”²⁸

It’s estimated that there are approximately 300,000 individuals with Tourette Syndrome (TS) in the UK.

The condition was thought to be more common in men and boys than in women and girls, but recent research suggests that this imbalance is due to medical bias.²⁹

The way that an individual is affected by TS is unique to them. However, individuals with this neurotype tend to exhibit one or more of the following traits:

• vocal and motor tics – tics are the main trait of TS. They are involuntary movements or sounds, and individuals with TS often exhibit a combination of both. Tics can be nearly anything, but common examples include blinking, throat-clearing, clicking, repeating words or sounds, tapping, grimacing or jerking. Swearing can also be a tic, but this only affects around 10% of individuals with TS
• anxiety and other co-occurring conditions – some individuals may experience co-occurring conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and difficulties with anger
• premonitory sensations – these are the urges felt by the individual before a tic. It can be incredibly compelling. Some have compared it to the sensation before a cough or sneeze. In some cases, a tic will need to be repeated multiple times to satisfy the premonitory urge. Suppressing the urge is possible but it is not always successful and can lead to fatigue. Tics can be difficult for an individual to manage and can even cause physical pain or contribute to symptoms of poor mental health. Although there is currently no cure for TS, symptoms may improve with age or can be treated with therapies and/or medication.

As with all neurotypes, individuals with TS have unique strengths that they can bring to a workplace and their everyday relationships. These can include:

• strong cognitive control – individuals with TS often work hard to suppress tics, so their brains can become better equipped for concentration, information processing and adapting behaviour based on their goal³⁰
• creativity – research findings suggest that some individuals with TS have higher levels of creativity and abstract thinking than neurotypical people. They can often excel in roles that require creative skills or idea-generation
• resilience and empathy – like many neurodivergent individuals who have experienced barriers within a neurotypical environment, individuals with TS often exhibit high levels of empathy and resilience. These attributes make them compassionate and conscientious team members
• energy and productivity – many individuals with TS bring passion and energy to their work and can complete tasks at a very fast pace when they are interested in the topic or project at hand. This can make them very productive, energising colleagues and team members.

Supportive ideas for employers and line managers

• Raise awareness – there are still many misconceptions surrounding TS. Running sessions or sharing information that dispels misinformation and increases knowledge of the facts can help members of your organisation to understand colleagues with TS better. For example, you could invite someone with lived experience of TS to deliver an all-colleague talk or share information from charities or organisations such as Tourettes Action.
• Optimise the workspace – reducing distractions and potential triggers in the working environment can help an individual with TS to reduce tics and improve concentration. Depending on the workplace, offering a private space where they can freely tic (away from others) or enabling them to work from home more often can be beneficial. Each person with TS will have unique triggers, so it’s best to have a conversation with them about theirs and how you can reduce them at work.
• Be flexible – understand that in high-stress situations it may be harder to suppress tics and that the energy used to do so may affect their ability to concentrate. Individuals with TS shouldn’t be excluded from high-demand projects but offering short breaks away from situations that could induce anxiety or stress could be helpful.
• Support open communication – tics can sometimes generate negative comments from those who don’t understand them. Minimise the likelihood of this by supporting open communication at work between the individual and their colleagues or clients. If they regularly work with unfamiliar clients or colleagues, make sure they are advised of the TS in advance. This approach will enable new clients and colleagues to recognise tics when they occur, preventing uncomfortable conversations and taking the pressure off the individual to explain in the moment.

Supportive ideas for individuals with Tourette Syndrome

• Consider joining a neurodiversity network – a network can be a great place to share your own experiences, concerns or questions, learn from others about theirs and grow your self-confidence. Some organisations have an internal neurodiversity network, but if yours doesn’t, explore options within the wider industry. The IET offers a neurodiversity network for members, and there are further options online and on social media. For example, Tourettes Action has a range of online support groups for adults. You’re not alone.
• Identify ways to manage anxiety – anxiety and stress can make tics worse. Practising yoga, going out for a walk, doing breathing techniques (like square breathing) and mindfulness exercises can all help to ground you when you’re feeling on edge.
• Explore therapy – there are various therapies available to support you in managing your tics, including Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and exposure with response prevention (ERP).

References