Anthony Albanese has apologised for using Tourette syndrome as ...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been criticised after using Tourette syndrome as an insult while speaking in parliament on Tuesday. 

Greens senator Jordan Steele said it was an ableist remark, while Coalition senator Anne Ruston said it was "absolutely despicable behaviour".

Here is a recap of what was said and the facts about Tourette syndrome. 

What did Anthony Albanese say?

"Have you got Tourette's or something?

"You know, you just sit there, babble, babble, babble."

Mr Albanese was speaking in the chamber of the House of Representatives during Question Time — which is when members of parliament ask ministers questions in a very public forum. 

The session is broadcast from Parliament House, with ABC reporters posting updates on a live blog. 

Mr Albanese was answering a question from Coalition member Angus Taylor and responded to an interjector heckling him from the opposition side. 

Here's vision of that:

Mr Albanese immediately withdrew the comment and apologised, which isn't shown in the video above. 

Later that evening, Mr Albanese returned to the chamber and made a formal apology before the end of the day's session. Here's what he said:

"Today in question time I made comments that were unkind and hurtful.

"I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment. I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it, but it shouldn't have happened.

"I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability, I regret saying it, it was wrong, it was insensitive and I apologise."

'Hurtful' remark can have real-life impacts

Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) president Mandy Maysey says Mr Albanese's words were "hurtful and inconsiderate". 

"His apology came across as insincere and a little bit hollow, especially as he didn't even refer to Tourette syndrome by name," she says. 

"The prime minister using Tourette syndrome as a put-down/insult or in a derogatory manner, especially televised and in parliament, will have a real-time, real-life impact on the lives of people living with Tourette syndrome. 

"The impact in schools and workplaces as people use it in the same manner will happen across Australia in the coming days."

Ms Maysey says the TSAA wants a meeting with Mr Albanese to "help him understand the full implications of what he said".

What is Tourette syndrome?

It's a neurological disorder where people have repetitive and involuntary movements and vocalisations, which are better known as "tics". 

It's unclear what causes Tourette syndrome.

However, it is a genetic disorder, which means it can be passed on from birth parents to their children, according to government-funded national health advice service Health Direct. 

Research quoted by Victoria's Better Health website suggests as many as one in 100 school children have the disorder. 

It can cause problems in a person's daily life, like disrupting their learning, impacting their sleep and affecting their mood.

Some people with Tourette syndrome may have other conditions, including deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Tourette syndrome does not affect a person's intelligence.

What are the symptoms of Tourette syndrome?

The kind of tics people experience can vary from person to person.

There's a common misconception that Tourette syndrome is characterised by uncontrollable swearing — the medical term for it is coprolalia —  but that's not often the case. 

"Coprolalia is a vocal tic affecting less than 10 per cent of people with Tourette syndrome," TSAA's fact sheet says.

"They cannot help it and it is not a choice.

"Vocal tics are not a reflection of a person's thoughts or beliefs — they can be triggered by environmental factors but are involuntary."

The TSAA divides them into two main categories: simple and complex. 

Here are a few examples of the vocal and motor tics in both categories:

Simple

• Motor: eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, nose twitching
• Vocal: throat clearing, barking noises, squealing, grunting, gulping, sniffing, tongue clicking

Complex

• Motor: jumping, touching other people and things, twirling about, repetitive movements of the torso or limbs, pulling at clothing and self-injurious actions, including hitting or biting oneself
• Vocal: uttering words or phrases, coprolalia (the involuntary utterance of inappropriate or obscene words), echolalia (repeating a sound, word or phrase just heard) or palilalia (repeating one's own words)

Can people with Tourette syndrome control their tics?

Some people can suppress their tics for a short time, but this just builds up tensions until the tic "escapes", Health Direct says.

"Just like the urge to sneeze, tics are involuntary," the TSAA says.  

"Trying to hold in a tic is tiring and the tic has to be released later."

Typically, tics can worsen with stress, so the severity of tics can improve with relaxation or being focused on an activity.  

"Some people experience periods where the symptoms seem to disappear, others experience a marked improvement in their late teens or early twenties," the TSAA's website says. 

How should people respond to tics?

"Acceptance and understanding is all people with Tourette syndrome really want from the public," Ms Maysey said. 

"The way those around them react to tics has a massive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

"The rule of thumb is to ignore tics where possible."

The TSAA's guide for first responders encourages emergency crews and security staff to use clear and reassuring speech.

"When encountering someone who may be exhibiting common symptoms of Tourette syndrome, it is important to approach the situation with care and sensitivity," the guide says. 

"Simply asking, 'Is there anything I can do for you?' and 'Are you okay right now?' can go a long way in helping the individual feel heard and supported."

It's also important to give the person time to answer. 

"Be patient and listen to the person," the guide says.  

"Avoid pressuring them for answers, as it can exacerbate their tics."