Social and Adaptive Functioning in Tourette Syndrome

Many children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette syndrome have impairments across various domains of social and adaptive functioning, both as a result of the severity and particular features of tics and as a result of co-occurring disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. The relative contribution of tics and comorbid disorders to these impairments is an area of active investigation. A thorough clinical assessment should also include standardized ratings of adaptive functioning. Psychosocial interventions for tics and associated behavioral disorders are constantly improving and show the potential to reduce symptom severity and associated impairment as well as to improve quality of life and adaptive functioning.