| Description |
Tic Disorders (TDs) are a class of childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by involuntary motor and vocal tics. TDs are estimated to affect approximately 1% of children and can cause substantial functional interference, reduced quality of life, and disability. Current best-practice recommendations for treatment (BPRT) emphasize a scaffolded approach that includes behavior therapy (BT) as a firstline intervention when tics are problematic, yet many caregivers frequently report that their children do not receive it. This undergraduate senior honors thesis aimed to gain a better understanding of the healthcare experience of parents of children with TD with an emphasis on first provider experiences and factors that predict the provision of BPRTs, including BT. I found that there was no association between provider type and taking a wait and see approach, referring to a specialist, or mentioning and recommending BT, however specialists were rated higher in knowledgeability about tics than pediatricians and were also more likely to provide psychoeducation, prescribe medication, and provide BT. Those who were referred for BT by later providers were more likely to receive BT than those that were not. Although 89% of caregivers sought consultation from a specialist at some point, only 35% reported having received at least one session of BT and they reported numerous barriers to receiving general treatment for tics, and specifically for BT. |
