Assessment and Treatment of Tic Behavior: A Review and Case Study

Abstract

A discussion of the classification, differential diagnosis, etiology, assessment, and treatment of tic disorders is presented. A case study is included in which a school psychologist utilized behavioral consultation to assist a 9-year-old girl's parent and teacher in implementing a habit reversal program designed to eliminate her chronic head shaking tic. The treatment appeared successful and 1-year follow-up indicated no evidence of the tic at home or in the child's school classroom. An 18-month follow-up suggested reoccurrence of low levels of the tic at home and school. Results are interpreted with caution due to the possibility of internal validity problems associated with uncontrolled case study research. Furthermore, generalization of these findings to other cases is limited because of the highly diverse nature of individual children's tic disorders.