Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
The purpose of this study was to determine if family therapy has potential
in handling the behaviour problems of children with Tourette syndrome.
This study was approached within a system theoretical framework and from
an educational psychological perspective.
The study was presented as follows:
Chapter 1: Conceptualization, formulation of the problem and
objectives.
Chapter 2: A literature study regarding the spectrum of Tourette
syndrome.
Chapter 3: A literature study regarding the systemic approach on
family therapy.
Chapter 4: The methodology used in the study.
Chapter 5: A qualitative-idiographic evaluation of the study.
Chapter 6: Summary, conclusions and recommendations.
Findings:
Family therapy has potential for the successful treatment of the behavioral
problems of children with Tourette syndrome.
Conclusions:
According to the literature study and the findings of this research, the
behavior problems of children with Tourette syndrome can be treated
successfully with family therapy. Family interactions as a whole show
improvement, which in tum leads to the better handling of behavioral
problems.
These findings may be attributed to the small number of families involved
in the study - thus more research in this field is needed.