When people hear Tourette’s Syndrome, many think of swearing, shocking outbursts, or behaviour played for laughs in films and TV. That stereotype is persistent – and it’s wrong.

 

Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) is a genetically determined neurological condition. The key features are tics: involuntary sounds and movements. TS can look different from person to person, and symptoms range from mild to severe.

In the UK, Tourette’s Action estimates TS affects one school child in every hundred, and that over 300,000 children and adults are living with TS in the UK.

TS is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls. The Royal College of Psychiatrists notes that girls and women can find it harder to get a diagnosis, partly due to the misconception that Tourette’s only happens in boys and men.

What tics actually look like

Tics often start in childhood, commonly around age 6–7, and they can fluctuate – coming and going in severity and frequency. Tourette’s Action notes that patterns can also be influenced by factors such as stress, excitement and relaxation.

Tourette’s Action gives common examples of motor and vocal tics, including:

• Motor tics: eye blinking/rolling, shoulder shrugging, limb/head jerking, abdominal tensing, jumping

• Vocal tics: throat clearing, sniffing, whistling, grunting, animal sounds, repeating sounds/words/phrases

Many people experience a premonitory urge (a build-up sensation) before a tic. Tourette’s Action compares this feeling to the need to itch or sneeze, and notes that suppressing a tic can increase the urge.

The swearing myth (and why it’s so damaging)

The biggest misconception around TS is that “everybody with the condition will swear or say socially inappropriate things.” Tourette’s Action is clear: coprolalia (tics that produce socially unacceptable words) affects only approximately 10–30% of people with TS.

So yes – coprolalia exists. But the media has made it the headline feature, and that distortion fuels stigma for everyone with Tourette’s.

Diagnosis: tics don’t automatically mean Tourette’s

Not all tics are Tourette’s. Tourette’s Action explains that, for TS to be diagnosed, multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic must be present for at least 12 months, and diagnosis is made by observing and evaluating symptoms. 

Tourette’s, autism, and overlap across neurodivergence

Tourette’s often comes with more than tics. Tourette’s Action states that up to 85% of people with TS experience co-occurring features and conditions, which can be as challenging as – if not more challenging than – the tics themselves.

Tourette’s Action also provides an autism factsheet describing areas where TS and autism can look similar (for example, repetitive movements and some speech features), while emphasising that the cause behind them differs. In TS, tics are involuntary and often linked to a premonitory urge; in autism, repetitive movements can function as sensory regulation or coping with stress/anxiety.

Lancaster University research has also reported a genetic alteration (2p16.3 deletion / Neurexin1) that increases risk for both autism and Tourette’s, supporting the reality that neurodevelopmental conditions can share underlying mechanisms.

Course, control, and common misconceptions

Tourette’s Action notes that there is currently no technology that can predict how TS will affect someone long-term.

It also states that approximately half of children with TS will see a significant reduction in symptoms as they approach adulthood, while for others TS continues across life and symptoms may wax and wane.

Why this matters now (BAFTA context)

Recent public conversations – including the incident at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards – have forced Tourette’s into the spotlight again, and not in a comfortable way.

BAFTA issued a statement acknowledging “very offensive language,” the harm caused, and apologising.
UK broadcasters also reported that the language arose from “involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome” and was “not intentional.”

ITV News reported Tourette’s Action’s response: the charity said it “deeply understand[s] that these words can cause hurt” while emphasising a fundamental point – tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.

Two truths can sit in the same room:

• some words carry real trauma and harm, and

• Tourette’s can involve involuntary language that does not represent intent.

If we want fewer harmful headlines and fewer dehumanising comment sections, we need public understanding that is accurate, not sensational.

Data, Impact & Information Support

Help us organise information, track engagement, and understand the impact of our work – vital for improving services and securing funding.

More information and support

For trusted UK information, guidance and support on Tourette’s and tic disorders, visit Tourettes Action.

References

Tourette’s Action – What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette’s Action – Symptoms (tics, examples, premonitory urge, suppression)
Tourette’s Action – Co-occurring features and conditions
Tourette’s Action –  Advice for doctors on TS (diagnostic criteria, diagnosis approach)
Tourette’s Action – Factsheet: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Royal College of Psychiatrists – Tics and Tourette syndrome in young people
Great Ormond Street Hospital (NHS) – Tic service: for young people (pattern over time)
Lancaster University – Common genetic link between autism and Tourette’s…
BAFTA – A statement from BAFTA (23 Feb 2026)
Sky News – BBC apology / description of involuntary tics and broadcast context
ITV News – Tourette’s Action comments on involuntary tics / intent