Social Deficits and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Tourette’s Syndrome

Chronic tic disorders, including Tourette’s syndrome (TS), are neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by the childhood onset of motor and/or vocal tics. Youth with TS often experience disturbances in social functioning, which can negatively impact functioning and overall quality of life. We summarize the existing knowledge about social deficits in youth with TS, while highlighting the various ways that these deficits present in comorbid developmental disorders (i.e., autism spectrum disorders) as well as in other TS-related phenomenology impacting social functioning (i.e., comorbid psychiatric conditions, tic severity, and peer victimization). Further, we discuss how interventions for TS should aim to address not only tic severity, but also the multifaceted reasons for social deficits within this population. We conclude with a discussion of clinical implications and future directions for clinical intervention and research.