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The Prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in Children and Adolescents with Autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1999

Simon Baron-Cohen ,
Catherine Mortimore ,
John Moriarty ,
Jon Izaguirre  and
Mary Robertson
Simon Baron-Cohen
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, U.K.
Catherine Mortimore
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurology, University of London, U.K.
John Moriarty
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurology, University of London, U.K.
Jon Izaguirre
Affiliation:
Children's Centre, Southport, U.K.
Mary Robertson
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurology, University of London, U.K. University College London, U.K.
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Abstract

Thirty-seven pupils attending a special school for children and adolescents with autism were observed for the presence of motor and vocal tics. Subsequent family interviews confirmed the diagnosis of comorbid Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome (GTS) in three children with autism, giving a minimum prevalence rate of 8.1%. Family history data also suggested this was heritable. The presence of GTS was not associated with superior intellectual, language, or social development. Results suggest that the rate of GTS in autism may exceed that expected by chance. The limited sample size constrains this conclusion. A large-scale epidemiological study testing this association study would appear merited.

Keywords

AutismTourette syndromecomorbiditypervasive developmental disorder
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines , Volume 40 , Issue 2 , February 1999 , pp. 213 - 218
Copyright
© 1999 Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry

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