"In this comprehensive, extensively updated edition (the first came out in 1992), Marsh returns as editor, displaying her firsthand knowledge about the overwhelming challenges facing families of children newly diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS). The mother of a grown child with TS, she oversees leading field experts and experienced parents who provide information about diagnostic tools, developmental stages, coexisting conditions, and learning disabilities. New to this edition is an extensive section on medications used to treat TS and related conditions. There are also strategies for coping with the daily challenges of TS as well as a new chapter on a behavior intervention that can help control tics. A section on special education rights and individual education planning will assist parents in navigating the school arena and help them ensure that their child is receiving adequate support during the school day. A comprehensive resource guide is included, along with an extensive reading list for parents, siblings, and children living with TS. This valuable resource for parents and educators is recommended for all public libraries."
-Library Journal, February 15, 2007

"The updated edition of the landmark 1992 volume.

Editor Marsh provides new information on all of the topics covered in the original edition, offering parents and caregivers a comprehensive guide on the challenges presented by TS. With the same mix of experts and parents as contributors, Marsh's collection is both informative and hopeful, with revised sections on education, legal rights, daily care and more. The contributors also explore issues of attention, sensory misperception and obsessive-compulsive behavior, as well as updates on the latest medical research and an exploration of the biochemistry of the disorder. Including more than 30 drugs for treatment. There are also sections on related disorders, such as Asperger syndrome and other learning disabilities, and a chapter on a new form of behavior therapy called Habit Reversal Training (HRT).

The perfect companion for parents and caregivers alike."
-Kirkus Reports, December 2006

"I am a believer that 'knowledge is power.' When finally receiving a diagnosis we, especially as parents, want to have the power to do something about it. Often after obtaining a diagnosis we spend hours online, at the library and on the phone getting as much information as possible to find a level of acceptance and determine how we can make a difference.

So often these days, there is an overabundance of information available and we don't know where to begin. Tourette syndrome is one of those diagnoses. When I typed it in my search engine I received 1.16 million hits. A book search revealed more than 3,000 references. How would a family get started to prepare for the challenges ahead?

Tracy Lynne Marsh, editor of Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents' Guide, 2nd edition, is the mother of a now-adult son with Tourette Syndrome. When Marsh's son was diagnosed in 1987, information 'was hard to come by,' she states. Fifteen years ago, the 1st Edition of Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents' Guide was published as Marsh's attempt to provide 'a trustworthy source of basic information that will give [parents] the background knowledge they need to evaluate the conflicting advice they may encounter.'

In this 2nd edition she has absolutely provided a wealth of resources and information in understandable language. In sharing her personal and professional experience, marsh has succeeded in bringing together 'a variety of experts on school, medicine, family and legal issues' in a pertinent and concise manner.

In comparison to other sources, I am impressed with the accuracy and detail Marsh provided in this edition. The contributors are professionals with an abundance of information and data regarding Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders, legal and life issues as well as objective information regarding treatments medications and behavior management.

This guide is comprehensive, easy to understand and contains lists of organizations, Websites and publications to provide further reference. A helpful glossary of relative terms is provided. Each chapter ends with inspiring parent statements. The final chapter titled Living with Tourette Syndrome: I am not my tics is especially informative, providing the firsthand account of William V. Rubin, MA, and his experience of living with Tourette Syndrome for 55 years. Rubin revealed his history, struggles and many accomplishments. He thoroughly explained the physical and emotional feelings he has experienced and his well-tried coping strategies.

Before reading Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents' Guide 2nd edition, I have to admit I knew only a little about Tourette Syndrome. I had seen a couple of specials on television, and then there are the generally inaccurate Hollywood depictions. This book enlightened me not only to the varying severity of Tourette Syndrome but also to the many challenges facing children and adults with this condition. As therapists, it is our responsibility to be as informed as possible and help our patients toward a path of good health.

This guide is a good reference to recommend to professionals working with children diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. In addition, it will provide parents not only with much needed information and direction but also hope and inspiration."
-ADVANCE for Physical Therapists & PT Assistants, July 16, 2007

"Edited by Tracy Marsh, Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents' Guide begins by recognizing that Tourette syndrome is a baffling disorder for both parents and professionals. Symptoms can range from very mild and hardly recognizable to significantly disabling. While the primary audience of this book is parents, the information is extremely valuable for students and professionals of any discipline.

Marsh, who holds a bachelor's degree in social work and is the parent a child with Tourette syndrome, is past president of the Minnesota chapter of the Tourette Syndrome Association. The book begins with a description of a Tourette's diagnosis and other disorders that often co-exist. Chapter 1 author Carl Hansen, Jr., MD, notes that more than half of all children diagnosed with Tourette syndrome have some type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and at least 50 percent have obsessive-compulsive disorder. He provides clear and descriptive information about other disorders that may complicate the diagnosis, such as Asperger's syndrome, aggression, and learning and sensory processing problems.

Chapter 2 is geared toward providing parents with information to help them cope with their child's disability. It is beneficial for clinicians as well in that it should help them understand the condition from the parents' point of view.

The following two chapters describe medical treatments and behavior therapies that families will encounter. The information is easy to read and well organized. Specific information is provided on common, behavior techniques such as habit reversal training and functional intervention, which indentifies ways to analyze the function of situations, and provides specific information on interventions.

The sections on daily and family life offer specific guidance on handling the sibling, marital and parenting issues that surround these complex children. The focus is on learning to cope and developing ways to drive everyone in the family toward success.

The final chapter is written by an adult with Tourette syndrome who does an excellent job describing what it feels like to live with this disorder."
-ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists, September 17, 2007