Medical Resources
Supporting better outcomes through earlier diagnosis, informed care, and empowered whānau.
Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) is a complex neurological condition that often goes unrecognised or misunderstood. At the Tourette’s Association of New Zealand (TANZ), we know that GPs are often the first point of contact for individuals and families seeking answers. Your role is critical.
This page provides practical, accessible resources designed to help GPs:
We are here to support you to support your patients. If you need advice, printed materials, or have a question about TS in your practice, please don’t hesitate to contact us at gm@tourettes.org.nz.
Together, we can help ensure that people with TS are seen, supported, and understood. We are members of Tics and Tourette’s across the globe, which has an amazing research facility and we will be able to share this information as it becomes available
Understanding TS, how it presents and a pathway to Diagnosis. (Presentation)
This presentation was given by Emma Henderson (TANZ) and Olya Kolyaduke (Child and Family Psychologist). It covers about the TS, what to look for, when to provide a diagnosis and when to refer on.
Diagnosis of TS. (Article)
Originally published by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners | RNZCGP
Understanding Tourette syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment and support (Article)
This article was published in May 2025 of NZ Doctor Magazine.
Guide to seeing a specialist. (document)
This can be given to patients to help track their diagnosis journey.
Behaviour Therapy for Tics and Tourette Syndrome with Dr. Douglas(Podcast)
Dr. Douglas Woods gives a detailed explanation of what tics are and the differences between tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome. He then takes listeners through the history of treatment and interventions to the point where behaviour therapy has become the primary intervention. Lastly, Dr. Woods shares his work in disseminating and training others to implement these interventions.
Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (Clinician Questionnaire)
The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) is a clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of tics in individuals with Tourette's syndrome and other tic disorders. It's considered a gold standard for assessing tics. The YGTSS evaluates both motor and phonic (vocal) tics, considering their number, frequency, intensity, complexity, and the interference they cause in daily life. The scale provides a total tic score and a separate impairment score