Tourette Syndrome in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements (motor tics) and sounds (vocal tics). It most often begins in childhood, typically between ages 2 and 12. In the Grand Rapids area, children and teens with Tourette syndrome can receive diagnosis and care through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

Grand Rapids families should know that Tourette syndrome is not a sign of poor parenting or bad behavior. It is a medical condition involving how the brain works.

How Common Is Tourette Syndrome?

Research suggests that up to 1 in 100 school-aged children in the United States may have Tourette syndrome or a related tic disorder. In a metro area the size of Grand Rapids, that means hundreds of children may be living with tics, whether they are diagnosed or not.

More Boys Than Girls Are Affected

  • Tourette syndrome affects boys about three times more often than girls.
  • Symptoms usually appear between ages 2 and 12.
  • For some teens in West Michigan, tics may lessen or become milder in late adolescence or early adulthood.
  • Tourette syndrome is considered a lifelong condition, but it is not degenerative (it does not cause the brain to deteriorate over time).

Milder forms can be misdiagnosed or overlooked, especially when tics occur alongside other conditions such as:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Conduct or behavior disorders
  • Learning difficulties

Because of this overlap, working with a pediatric neurologist or child psychiatrist in Grand Rapids who understands tic disorders is important for an accurate diagnosis.

Tourette Syndrome and Life in West Michigan

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, seasonal changes and stress can influence Tourette symptoms:

  • Cold winters and long school days can increase stress and fatigue, which may worsen tics.
  • Transitions (start of the school year, exams, holiday stress, bad road conditions in winter) can also trigger more frequent tics.
  • Calm activities common in West Michigan—such as walking along the Grand River, visiting local parks, or indoor relaxation exercises during winter—may help reduce stress and improve symptoms.

Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome involves both motor tics (movements) and vocal tics (sounds). Symptoms can vary widely from person to person and can change over time.

Common Motor Tics

  • Excessive eye blinking
  • Facial grimacing
  • Shoulder shrugging
  • Head jerking
  • Nose twitching
  • Arm or hand movements

Common Vocal Tics

  • Grunting
  • Sniffing
  • Throat clearing
  • Barking or other noises
  • Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
  • In rare cases, involuntary swearing or use of inappropriate language (coprolalia)

Many people assume swearing is common in Tourette syndrome, but in reality, coprolalia affects only a small percentage of individuals with the condition.

Changing Symptoms Over Time

Tourette symptoms often wax and wane—they may:

  • Increase for several weeks or months
  • Decrease or almost disappear for a while
  • Change in type (for example, blinking may improve while shoulder shrugging starts)

Stress, tension, fatigue, and excitement tend to make tics worse, while relaxation, focus, and concentration can temporarily reduce them. Many Grand Rapids students report fewer tics when they are deeply focused on activities they enjoy (such as art, music, or sports).

Levels of Tourette Syndrome: Simple and Complex Tics

Healthcare providers often describe tics as simple or complex.

Simple Tics (Milder)

These are brief, repetitive movements or sounds involving just a few muscle groups:

  • Motor: blinking, sniffing, shrugging, grimacing
  • Vocal: grunting, throat clearing, short sounds

Complex Tics (More Severe)

These involve more coordinated patterns of movement or speech:

  • Jumping or hopping
  • Spinning in circles
  • Compulsively touching objects or people
  • Repeating words, phrases, or sounds (echolalia)
  • Involuntary swearing or inappropriate phrases (coprolalia)

Tourette syndrome can be mild, moderate, or severe. Even in the same person, the intensity of symptoms can change from day to day.

Causes of Tourette Syndrome

The exact cause of Tourette syndrome is still not fully understood. Research—including work done at major medical centers across the U.S.—focuses on several factors.

1. Genetic Factors

Tourette syndrome appears to be strongly genetic:

  • It often runs in families.
  • A child of a person with Tourette syndrome has about a 50% chance of inheriting some form of tic disorder or related symptoms.
  • Boys are around three times more likely than girls to show noticeable symptoms.

If you live in Grand Rapids and have a family history of tics, OCD, or ADHD, it may be helpful to mention this to your child’s pediatrician or neurologist.

2. Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS/PANS)

Some researchers have explored a possible link between streptococcal (strep) infections and sudden onset or worsening of tics and OCD-like symptoms, sometimes referred to as PANDAS or PANS. This theory suggests that, in certain children, the immune response to strep may affect the brain.

This remains an area of active research, and not all experts agree on how strong this connection is. Pediatricians and specialists in Grand Rapids may evaluate for recent infections if symptoms appear suddenly.

3. Neurochemical Abnormalities

People with Tourette syndrome appear to process certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) differently, particularly:

  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin

These chemicals help regulate mood, movement, and behavior. Abnormalities in these systems may contribute to the development of tics.

4. Other Associated Conditions

Tourette syndrome often appears together with:

  • ADHD
  • OCD and obsessive-compulsive behaviors
  • Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia
  • Anxiety or mood disorders

Researchers are still studying whether these are separate conditions that simply occur together, or whether they share underlying brain mechanisms.

Additional Challenges for Children and Teens in Grand Rapids

A child with Tourette syndrome may also experience:

  • Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep, especially during stressful school periods)
  • Academic challenges, such as trouble focusing, writing, or staying organized
  • Low self-esteem, especially if they are teased or misunderstood
  • Difficulty controlling their temper or emotional outbursts
  • Anxiety or depression

Most children with Tourette syndrome have normal intelligence, but some may have specific learning difficulties that affect school performance.

Social Stigma and Misunderstanding

One of the hardest parts of Tourette syndrome is social stigma:

  • Teachers, classmates, or coworkers may not realize that tics are involuntary.
  • Involuntary swearing or unusual vocalizations may be mistaken for intentional rudeness.
  • Children may be teased or disciplined for behaviors they cannot fully control.

In Grand Rapids, it can be very helpful for families to:

  • Work with school counselors and special education staff in Grand Rapids Public Schools and surrounding districts.
  • Provide teachers with information about Tourette syndrome.
  • Ask for reasonable accommodations (such as extra time on tests, quiet spaces, or permission to leave the classroom briefly when tics are intense).

How Tourette Syndrome Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

There is no single blood test or brain scan that diagnoses Tourette syndrome. Diagnosis is based mainly on a detailed history and careful observation.

A healthcare provider—often a pediatrician, neurologist, or child psychiatrist—will typically:

  1. Review the child’s medical and family history.
  2. Ask about the type, frequency, and duration of tics.
  3. Confirm that both motor and vocal tics have been present for at least 1 year.
  4. Rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.

Because many children feel safer at home, their tics may be less obvious in the doctor’s office. Parents in Grand Rapids are often encouraged to:

  • Record short videos of tics at home or school to show the provider.
  • Keep a brief symptom diary, noting when tics are better or worse.

Tests such as CT scans or MRI may be ordered to rule out other neurological problems, but they do not diagnose Tourette syndrome by themselves.

Local diagnostic services are available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) neurology and pediatric clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health and associated outpatient clinics

Treatment Options for Tourette Syndrome in Grand Rapids

Treatment depends on how much tics affect daily life. Many people with Tourette syndrome do not need medication and learn ways to manage their tics.

Self-Management and Behavioral Strategies

Many individuals:

  • Find a quiet, private place to release or “vent” tics after holding them in at school or work.
  • Notice that tics decrease when they are deeply focused or relaxed.

Evidence-based behavioral therapies may be recommended, such as:

  • CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics)
  • Habit Reversal Training, which teaches a person to:
    • Recognize the urge to tic
    • Use a competing response that is less noticeable or more socially acceptable

Psychologists and therapists in the Grand Rapids area who specialize in pediatric behavioral health or OCD/tics can often provide these therapies.

Medications

For some children and adults, tics are severe enough to interfere with:

  • School performance
  • Work
  • Social relationships
  • Sleep or safety

In these cases, a provider may prescribe medication. Common approaches include:

  • Starting with low doses
  • Increasing slowly until symptoms are reasonably controlled
  • Using the lowest effective dose to limit side effects

Possible side effects of some tic medications include:

  • Weight gain
  • Persistent tiredness or sedation
  • Mood changes or depression

Medication plans are highly individualized. Different people need different medications or combinations, and what works for one person in Grand Rapids may not work for another.

Managing Stress and Emotional Health

Because stress and emotional overexcitement can worsen Tourette symptoms, stress management is an important part of care:

Helpful strategies include:

  • Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness)
  • Regular physical activity, adjusted for Michigan’s seasons (indoor exercise in winter, outdoor activities in warmer months)
  • Counseling or psychotherapy to:
    • Address anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
    • Learn coping skills for school and social situations
    • Help substitute more acceptable behaviors for socially disruptive tics when possible

Living With Tourette Syndrome in Grand Rapids

With appropriate support, most people with Tourette syndrome in Grand Rapids can:

  • Attend regular schools and participate fully in classes
  • Play sports, join clubs, and be active in the community
  • Succeed in college and careers

Key supports often include:

  • Educated and understanding teachers and school staff
  • Supportive family and friends
  • Access to local healthcare providers familiar with Tourette syndrome
  • Connection with support groups, whether local or online

When to See a Doctor

Consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider or pediatrician in Grand Rapids if:

  • Your child has repeated movements or sounds they cannot control.
  • Tics have been present for more than a year.
  • Symptoms are causing embarrassment, bullying, anxiety, or academic problems.
  • You notice sudden, severe onset of tics or OCD-like behaviors, especially after an infection.

Your doctor can refer you to a neurologist, child psychiatrist, or psychologist within local systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Local Resources and Support in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Your Primary Care Provider or Pediatrician
    First step for evaluation, referrals, and ongoing support.

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Neurology & Pediatric Services
    Offers evaluation and management of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome.

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    Provides neurology, behavioral health, and pediatric services.

  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    Access to neurology and behavioral health specialists.

  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers community health resources and mental health referrals for families in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.

  • Grand Rapids Public Schools & Area School Districts
    Can provide accommodations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), or 504 plans for students with Tourette syndrome and related conditions.

  • National Tourette Syndrome Organizations
    Provide education, online support groups, and up-to-date treatment information.

Key Points About Tourette Syndrome

  • Tourette syndrome usually begins between ages 2 and 12.
  • Symptoms may lessen in late adolescence for some people, though tics can continue into adulthood.
  • The intensity of symptoms can change daily and tends to wax and wane over weeks or months.
  • Stress, tension, and fatigue often make tics worse; relaxation and focused activities can ease symptoms.
  • With proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, children and adults with Tourette syndrome in Grand Rapids can lead full, active, and successful lives.