Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the brain. This neurological disorder causes and individual to experience involuntary tics and/or vocalizations. Some individuals will often display the compulsive utterance of obscenities as well.

These involuntary tics are often sudden and uncontrolled movements such as eye blinking, head jerking or shoulder shrugging violently. When an individual experiences a vocal tic it often will include either throat clearing, sniffling and/or humming.

Simple motor tics involve one muscle group and include eye blinking, lip-licking, shoulder shrugging, and head jerking. Complex motor tics involve a coordinated movement produced by a number of muscle groups. For example, touching objects, jumping, or spinning around. Complex motor tics may also include imitating someone else’s actions (echopraxia) or exhibiting inappropriate or taboo gestures of behaviours (copropraxia.)

Simple vocal tics include sniffing, grunting, throat clearing, uttering single syllables (e.g. uh-uh-uh) and humming. Complex vocal tics include uttering linguistically meaningful utterances (words and phrases), or changing the pitch and volume of voice. Complex vocal tics may also involve repeating a phrase he/she has heard over and over (echolalia), repeating one’s own words (palilalia) or uttering obscenities or socially taboo phrases (coprolalia).

The most important thing to understand about the tics associated with Tourette Syndrome is they are the result of a neuropsychiatric condition. The sounds and behaviours are involuntary and are not being done by choice.

If you or someone you care for suffers from Tourette syndrome, you may be eligible for a large refund from the Canada Revenue Agency through the Disability Tax Credit program. We are Disability Tax Credit experts and have experience working with thousands of Canadians with a multitude of medical conditions. We would be happy to discuss your specific case with you and help determine if you may be eligible to claim the Disability Tax Credit, and receive a refund from the Canada Revenue Agency. Contact Us Today!