Arch Neurol. 1996 Jun;53(6):509-11.

School problems in Tourette's syndrome.

Abwender DA, Como PG, Kurlan R, Parry K, Fett KA, Cui L, Plumb S, Deeley C.

Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study of 138 children with Tourette's syndrome for associated school problems revealed that at the time of initial evaluation, 64 subjects (46%) experienced a school-related problem. OBJECTIVE: To survey a childhood population with Tourette's syndrome to explore the contributions of neurobehavioral concomitants to academic difficulties. RESULTS: A diagnosis of a specific learning disorder had previously been made in 30 (22%) of 138 children. Among the 108 without a diagnosis of learning disorder, 36 (33%) experienced school difficulties defined as grade retention (16 [15%]) and/or special education placement (41 [38%]). Regression analysis of subjects without a diagnosis of learning disability revealed that the presence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder served as a significant predictor of school problems. CONCLUSIONS: Tics represented the primary reason for referral, but did not emerge as a significant predictor of academic problems. Rather, school-related difficulties appeared to be strongly associated with comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.