The effects of awareness training on tics in a young boy with Tourette syndrome, Asperger syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

One boy with Tourette, Asperger, and ADHD kept having tics.

The team tried awareness training, the first step of habit reversal.

They taught him to notice each tic the moment it started.

After training, every tic dropped.

The boy did not need the full habit-reversal package.

Just spotting the tic was enough to cut it.

Spieler et al. (2017) got the same result with college students.

Awareness training cut verbal fillers like “um” during talks.

Friedling et al. (1979) looks like a clash.

Self-instruction alone did nothing for hyperactive kids.

The difference is simple: self-instruction tells you what to do.

Awareness training only asks you to notice.

Notice first, change later.

You can start habit reversal without the full package.

Try a quick awareness drill first.

Have the child count tics for one minute.

If the rate drops, you may save hours of treatment time.