Where is help?

I have a 7 year old niece that suffers from Tourettes syndrome.  I know my brother and his wife are near their wits end.  She has less of a problem with tics, it all comes out in behavior.  I know that she has strong OCD and ADHD tendencies.  The problem use to mostly happen in public places where there was either a lot of people and/or noise.  Now it is becoming constant.  She has terrible tantrums and yells and says horrible things to her parents.  They have been seeing a behavior psychologist to help with the problems, however they have become worse.  I would like to see if there is a support group out there that my brothers family could turn to.  They reside in the state of Oklahoma.  I would also like to add that my neice has a truly wonderful side also. Her moods are like day and night.  I want to help them find someone or something that can help them.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The Tourette Syndrome Association may be helpful in locating a support group. They can be reached via their web site( http://www.tsa-usa/org). In addition to the behavioral treatment, which is critical, medication should be part of the treatment plan. Pharmacological treatment of Tourette Disorder and emotional conditions which are often associated with it has come a long way. Hopefully her parents will seek the help of a child psychiatrist in addition to a pediatric neurologist.