Focus on Practice: Tourette Syndrome: a Training Day for Teachers

Abstract

Recent research indicates that Tourette syndrome is more prevalent than was once thought and that teachers in most mainstream schools are likely to encounter pupils displaying the characteristics of Tourette syndrome. Research also indicates that these characteristics, and the range of responses that may be appropriate, are not well understood by school staff. In this article, Dr Uttom Chowdhury, Consultant Child Psychiatrist at the CAMHS Academic Unit in Dunstable and Honorary Child Psychiatrist at the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and Dr Deborah Christie, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Services at University College London and Middlesex Hospitals, describe a training day for teachers facilitated by members of the Tic Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The day provided a mix of information–giving and discussion of current practice. Uttom Chowdhury and Deborah Christie relate the outcomes of the day to their own professional knowledge and experience and offer an interesting agenda for further developments.