The condition develops before birth and continues to do so during a persons lifetime. If occurs in 1-10,000 people and is incurable. Children are born with TS and it can have a devastating effect on them and their families. The seizures are often difficult to control. This does not always occur.
Retardation can vary from mild to very severe.
Some children with TS are very overactive and may have sleeping problems. Some may show signs of autism. Some will scream a lot or bite themselves. The earliest sign may be a white skin patch, seen even on newborn babies. These white patches are usually found on the trunk and limbs.