News Release

PHOENIX [Aug. 7, 2023] — The Phoenix Tourette Syndrome program, a unique partnership between Phoenix Children’s and Banner Sun Health Research Institute, recently earned its reaccreditation as a Tourette Association of America (TAA) Center of Excellence. TAA is a national nonprofit raising awareness of, and advancing research for Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders.  

The Phoenix Tourette Syndrome program, launched in 2019, continues to provide exceptional care in evaluating, identifying and managing Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders in Arizona. It first earned its TAA center of excellence designation in 2020.

This designation recognizes the program’s ongoing commitment to high-quality care, leadership in groundbreaking research and provision of education and training opportunities focused on Tourette syndrome for the Phoenix community.

“The Tourette and Tic Disorder Program at Phoenix Children’s works hard to provide patients with the highest level of care and has sustained partnerships to ensure that care remains available throughout the child’s life,” said Dr. Poonam Bhatia, pediatric neurologist at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s and director of the program.

Phoenix Children’s Tourette and Tic Disorders Program includes neurologists who specialize in movement disorders with expertise in diagnosing and managing complex tic disorders and Tourette syndrome as well as health care professionals able to offer comprehensive behavior intervention for tics (CBIT).

Phoenix Children’s partnership with Banner Sun Health Research Institute allows pediatric patients to receive parallel, multidisciplinary services for Tourette syndrome and tic disorders through adulthood. Phoenix Children’s and Banner Sun Health provide cognitive behavioral therapy, comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (also known as CBIT), medication management, social work, botulinum injections and deep brain stimulation to a diverse population of individuals with Tourette syndrome and related disorders.

“We are committed to helping tic and Tourette patients find the right diagnosis and the best strategies to manage their conditions throughout their lives,” said Dr. David Shprecher, Banner Sun Health Research Institute movement disorders director. “Our partnership with Phoenix Children’s and TAA has really helped connect clinicians, patients and families throughout Arizona with key knowledge and resources.”

For more information about the comprehensive care provided at the Phoenix Children’s Tourette and Tic Disorders Program, visit phoenixchildrens.org.