Tourette Syndrome
What is it?
Tourette’s involves tics , movements or sounds that happen suddenly and repeatedly. Some are simple (like blinking), others more complex (like words or gestures). People don’t have control over their tics.
Challenges
Worry about tics in public or school
Feeling misunderstood or judged
Social anxiety or bullying
Gender Differences
Boys are more likely to show obvious vocal or motor tics and may be diagnosed sooner, especially if their tics are disruptive in school settings.
Girls often have more subtle or internal tics (like throat-clearing or small movements) and may also experience more obsessive-compulsive symptoms that get missed.
Non-binary and gender-diverse young people might suppress tics to avoid unwanted attention or judgment, leading to stress, fatigue, or misdiagnosis.
👉 Not all tics are visible or loud—some people go undiagnosed for years because they’ve learned to hide what’s going on.
Strengths
Creative, energetic, and often very funny
Great verbal or performance skills
Courage to be yourself
Important: These are patterns, not rules.