Picture of Tourette's Syndrome

Picture of Tourette's Syndrome - famous people

Tourette's syndrome is a type of tic disorder. Children with Tourette's syndrome will repeat both movements and sounds. Several different tics can happen at the same time, but they may not always occur together.

If a child has Tourette's syndrome, the tics usually start when he or she is between 3 and 10 years of age. The movements and sounds come and go, and usually they aren't a severe problem. Keep in mind that your child may have a tic but not have Tourette's syndrome. Talk to your family doctor if you think your child may have Tourette's syndrome.

On TV, in movies and in the news, Tourette's syndrome is often associated with cursing, or making offensive sexual or racist comments. However, only a small percentage of people with Tourette's syndrome have this symptom.

Famous people with Tourette's syndrome

People with Tourette Syndrome aren't psychologically impaired, obstinate, or unintelligent. Most people with the disorder lead normal productive lives, with some of them excelling in their given professions.

Here are a few examples of some celebrities with the disorder.

1. Marc Summers (1951 - )
   A popular tv host and entertainer
2. Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)
   Dr. Johnson was a famous British poet, essayist, and lexicographer.
3. Howie Mandel (1955 - )
   Voted one of the 100 best stand-up comedians of all time, Howie Mandel first became known for his role in the tv series, "St. Elsewhere," and later for "Bobby's World."  
4. Howard Hughes (1905 - 1976)
   Howard Hughes' "eccentricities" were well-known, including a germ obsession that started in childhood and worsened throughout his adult years. That didn't stop him, however, from being brilliantly successful in both Hollywood as a film director and producer and in aviation, where he owned a number of airlines, and at one point held a number of air speed records as an aviator.
5. Jim Eisenreich (1959 - )
   Jim is a retired major league baseball player who played with the 1993 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
6. Tim Howard (1979 - )
   Tim is the goalkeeper for Manchester United.
7. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
   NBA Basketball player - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson) was a leading free throw shooter in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings from 1990-98, averaging 15.2 points a game.
8. Mozart (1756-1791)
   In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. (along with a disputing editorial by neurologist Oliver Sacks, M.D.) speculating that Mozart's love of scatological * language meant that he had Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette's Syndrome - Overview

Symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome

Tourette's Syndrome Treatment

Picture of Tourette's Syndrome

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Picture of Tourette's Syndrome - TS