Is Tourette Syndrome A Disability?
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a disability that is related to a neurological ailment. People who suffer from this syndrome experience quick, repetitive, and unwanted movements that are known as tics. Tourette syndrome is also known as tics disorder.
This disorder develops in the nervous system. People who suffer from Tourette syndrome often face difficulty as this ailment cannot be cured. However, some medical treatments might benefit and cure some of the problems.
When Does Tourette Syndrome Begin?
The onset of tics changes with time and in frequency. The tics even transform with location and based on severity. Children who are between 5 to 10 years of age suffer from tics syndrome and the symptoms begin to appear at this age.
It lays an impact on the head area, neck area, and even reaches the muscles. Some people may also experience effects in their arms and legs with the tic’s ailment.
It is important to note that motor tics begin to appear first and then vocal tics. The complexity of the tics keeps on increasing ranging from simple to complicated. Apart from children, people who are in their teens often suffer from Tourette syndrome. However, tics can be treated well between the age of teens to early 20s.
With continuous medical treatment, some people might even be cured and recover from this syndrome. Although, some cases might become severe and worsen the condition even more in adulthood. People suffering from this disability can expect to live a normal life as it is not one of the degenerating medical conditions.
Can You Get Disability Benefits For Tourette Syndrome?
Yes, Tourette is a disability as it prevents an individual from performing daily life activities. Some of the most common signs of Tourette’s disability are as follows:
- Simple tics can be rapid and continuous movement involving limiting muscles.
- Complex tics and distinct and may involve multiple sets of muscles.
- Simple tics occur in greater frequency than complex muscles.
- Examples of simple motor tics include eye blinking, shrugging of shoulders, and jerking of the head.
- Examples of complex motor tics include head twists and should shrug. This may even consist of jumping, bending, hopping, and twisting.
- There can be simple and complex vocal tics as well.
There are some of the disorders that are accompanied by Tourette’s disability such as anxiety, learning disability, sleep apnea, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Tourette’s disorder is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How Is Tourette’s Syndrome Diagnosed?
A Tourette’s syndrome is diagnosed by a healthcare professional or a doctor who looks for any of the following symptoms:
- There must be motor and vocal tics occurring many times a day or at least one episode each day. This condition must have lasted for about 12 months.
- Presence of tics before the age of 18 years.
- The disability has been caused by any other reason and not by any medications.
Generally, clinicians diagnose Tourette’s syndrome. In case the syndrome has been caused in adulthood then the treatment requires great expertise on part of a doctor. In this syndrome, the diagnosis is not done based on any of the tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), neuroimaging studies, or any blood tests. A significant amount of time is required to diagnose TS.
People who are not familiar with this disability may consider the symptoms as a mild or moderate condition. However, when left untreated it can prove to worsen the condition of the disabled individual.
What Are The Different Causes Of Tourette’s Syndrome?
Some of the fundamental causes of Tourette’s syndrome may involve different environmental factors. However, the actual cause of this syndrome is unknown. There is some communication between the nerve cells or some neurotransmitters involved causing the syndrome.
Some people might inherit this disability from their parents. TS is considered an inherited disorder. However, in some cases, it may not be a genetic disorder. The TS disability can be treated by having regular medications or some therapies and other medical treatments.
The medications of Tourette’s syndrome include:
- Medications that are used to block dopamine
- Some alpha-adrenergic agonists are used to lower high blood pressure.
- Methylphenidate and Dextroamphetamine helps in lowering the tics problem
- Antidepressants assist people to control OCD, anxiety, and depression.
How to Seek Disability Benefits for Tourette’s Syndrome?
People who are suffering from this ailment can apply for the benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, you have to meet certain eligibility requirements as stated by the SSA. The criteria differ for children and adults.
Children must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- If they are having a condition that is preventing them from performing any activity
- The disorder is lasting for more than 12 months or at least a year.
- Adults need to meet the following criteria to get the disability for social security
- Their severe medical condition is preventing them from performing any work
- The syndrome has been lasting for at least a year.
If the children and adults satisfy these requirements then they are free to apply for the disability. The process of getting the advantage by Social Security can be lengthy and complicated.
Therefore, it is suggested to take guidance from a Disability Attorney in Orlando. It will be beneficial for your case as the presence of a legal expert will gather all the evidence and prove the claim.