Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders: A Guide for Anthem and Northwest Phoenix Families

By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 10, 2026

A child starts sniffing repeatedly and no one can explain it. Another blinks too much. A third keeps clearing their throat. For families in Anthem, Norterra, Vistancia, and other northwest Phoenix and Peoria communities, these are usually the first signs of a tic disorder, one of the conditions pediatric neurologists see most often in school-age kids.

Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion evaluates and treats tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. Here's what northwest Phoenix parents should know about the range of tic disorders, how Tourette syndrome gets diagnosed, and which treatments actually help.

what a tic is

A tic is a sudden, repetitive, non-rhythmic movement or sound that a child feels an urge to perform. They come in two types:

• Motor tics: Movements of the face, head, limbs, or trunk. Simple ones include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head jerking. Complex motor tics involve coordinated patterns of movement.
• Vocal (phonic) tics: Sounds from the throat, nose, or mouth. Simple ones include throat clearing, sniffing, and grunting. Complex vocal tics include repeating words or phrases.

Most tics start with a premonitory urge, an uncomfortable sensation that builds until the tic happens, followed by brief relief. Many children can hold tics back for a while (at school, say), but suppression takes effort and the urge gets stronger. That's why tics often look worse at home at the end of the day. The child has been holding back for hours.

the range of tic disorders

• Provisional tic disorder: Tics present for less than one year. This is the most common diagnosis. Many children develop tics that go away on their own within months, and no treatment is needed unless the tics are disruptive.
• Persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder: Either motor tics or vocal tics, but not both, lasting more than one year.
• Tourette syndrome: Both motor and vocal tics present for more than one year, though they don't have to happen at the same time. Tourette does NOT require coprolalia (involuntary swearing). That stereotype applies to only a minority of patients.

tics and school

Tics usually peak between ages 8 and 12 and tend to ease up in adolescence. During the school years, when many Anthem and Norterra children are in demanding academic environments, tics can affect self-esteem, friendships, and focus in class.

Children with tic disorders often qualify for 504 plans or IEPs. Accommodations can include leaving the classroom briefly when tics flare, extra time on tests, or a seat at the back of the room. Dr. Zach provides documentation to support these requests.

Parents should also know that roughly 50 to 60% of children with Tourette syndrome have ADHD, and 30 to 40% have obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These often cause more trouble in daily life than the tics do, and any treatment plan has to account for them.

treatment options

Not every tic disorder needs medication. When tics are mild and don't interfere much with daily life, watching and waiting along with education is the right call. When treatment is needed, the options include:

• Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT): A structured behavioral therapy and the first-line treatment for tic disorders. It teaches children to notice premonitory urges and use competing responses. CBIT has strong evidence behind it and no medication side effects.
• Alpha-2 agonist medications (guanfacine, clonidine): Often the first medication tried, especially when ADHD is also present. They help with sleep too.
• Topiramate: An anticonvulsant with evidence for reducing tics.
• Dopamine-modulating medications: Saved for more severe tics, with close monitoring for side effects.

for anthem, norterra, and northwest phoenix families

Rose Medical Pavilion sits about 18 to 25 miles from most northwest Phoenix communities, including Norterra and Anthem, usually 25 to 30 minutes via I-17. Vistancia and Westwing Mountain are about 26 to 28 miles away. For families in these growing areas, Dr. Zach is one of the more accessible pediatric neurology specialists for tic disorders in the metro area.

To schedule an evaluation for a child with tics, call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or visit our community pages for Anthem, Norterra, and Vistancia.