Systematic Literature Review on Public Health Impacts of Persistent Tic Disorders: Education and Employment

Tourette syndrome and persistent tic disorders (TS/PTD) begin in childhood and can contribute to negative outcomes across the lifespan. A systematic review was conducted to summarize current evidence on education and employment outcomes among individuals with TS/PTD. The review summarized education and/or employment outcomes from 69 articles published between 2003 and March 5, 2025 that reported these outcomes for individuals with TS/PTD and a comparison group without TS/PTD. Of these studies, most included small samples of individuals with TS/PTD (less than 100), and those that reported on race or ethnicity were predominantly White. Only five studies on adult employment status and no studies on the transition to higher education were identified for inclusion. Children and adolescents with TS/PTD may experience poorer school-related quality of life, lower school competence, and more parent-reported school problems compared to those without TS/PTD. Although evidence was less robust, children and adolescents with TS/PTD may also be more likely to experience other negative school outcomes, including poor attitudes about school and low pass rates/frequent grade retention. Findings can be used by healthcare providers and school personnel to inform supports for students with TS/PTD. Adult employment status and transition to higher education for individuals with TS/PTD, and studies with larger, more heterogeneous samples, may be important directions for future research.