Pharmacological Management of Tics: Dos and Don’t

Jonathan W. Mink, MD PhD
Child Neurologist and Consultant, University of Rochester (Retired)

Talk Summary: Tic disorders, including Tourette Syndrome, are perhaps the most common movement disorders occurring in children. While tics may be transient in the majority of children with tics, 3% of children or more have a chronic tic disorder and approximately 1% have Tourette Syndrome. The majority of children with chronic tic disorders have at least one co-occurring condition that can including ADHD, OCD, anxiety, a learning disability, or a combination. Thus, appropriate management of tic disorders must take into account the presence and impact of symptoms other than tics. First-line evidence-based treatment for tics is non-pharmacologic. However, many children benefit from pharmacotherapy for tics. This presentation will review some of the challenges in treating tics, the evidence behind the treatment options, and practical considerations when approaching management of these complex and dynamic symptoms.

Learning Objectives:
- Describe how to assess a patient for a tic disorder, when first encountering this clinical complaint.
- Recognize the natural history of tic disorders and the temporal dynamics of tics. Know the evidence-based treatments for tics and how to consider potential benefits and side-effects.
- Identify the common co-occurring conditions that may be present for individuals with tic disorders, and how to assess and manage these.
- Recognize common mistakes in treating children with tic disorders.