Tourette-like symptoms associated with neuroleptic therapy in an autistic child.

A 5 1/2-year-old autistic boy developed a Tourette-like syndrome after neuroleptic withdrawal. The child was studied prospectively and any abnormal movements were compared with predrug baseline assessment and information. Differential diagnosis and some of the difficulties in evaluating neuroleptic related abnormal movements are discussed. The need for a baseline assessment of patients before the administration of neuroleptics is stressed.