Parent perceptions of symptom severity in Tourette's syndrome.

The families of 66 consecutive children with Tourette's syndrome were surveyed for their perception of symptom significance using a questionnaire. Families considered attention deficit and learning difficulties to be most significant, while motor and vocal tics were least important. When present, episodic rage was the most impairing symptom. Physicians must be aware of the significance of these comorbid symptoms for patients with Tourette's syndrome.