Assessing Tic Disorders in Children with ADHD from a Nationally Representative Sample

Successful treatments exist for both ADHD and tics, but minimal research has been done on treatments that treat tics in children with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to analyze data from a nationally-representative sample of children with ADHD to determine characteristics and demographic factors that maximize tic prevalence and find the most beneficial treatments for those with tics. The data used was from the 2014 National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome, a follow-up to the National Survey of Children’s Health, conducted by the CDC. The focus of data analysis was to assess tic prevalence in children with ADHD and different demographic characteristics as well as treatment prevalence among demographics and their effects on children with tic disorders. Males seven years or younger and in families at or below the federal poverty level were most likely to have tics. Rates of tic decline were highest in older children and children in families with income substantially above the poverty line. Antipsychotic medications, peer intervention and dietary supplements were found to be significantly more beneficial to school performance of children with ADHD and tic disorders than children without tics. Based on the sample, a combination of antipsychotics, peer intervention and dietary supplements is likely the best option for children with ADHD and tics. Future clinical studies should prioritize treating comorbid disorders before the perceived primary disorder. Comorbid disorders are often the root cause of problems that can exacerbate symptoms and require intense treatment and care.