All About Tourette Syndrome

Life with TS Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a type of Tic Disorder. What are tics? Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations.  They are the defining feature of a group of childhood-onset, neuro-developmental conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders. It is individually known as TS due to the types of tics present (motor, vocal/ phonic, or both) and duration.             Individuals with TS have had at least a combination two motor tics and at least one vocal tic over the course of more than a year. TS does not adversely affect intelligence or life expectancy. TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females.  It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics.  Although TS can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people w

Objectives of this post: 1. Raise awareness with regards to some of the challenges and problems that individuals with Tourette Syndrome face 2. Seek understanding from the public that the challenging behaviour that individuals with Tourette Syndrome display, is not done on purpose 3. Prevent discrimination against individuals with Tourette Syndrome Behavioural challenges: Disinhibition: Individuals with Tourette Syndrome lack the ability to consistently stop oneself from expressing what he or she thinks, or displaying actions that most typical students have the ability to control. Examples of such acts include making inappropriate comments, having emotional outbursts, swearing and throwing temper tantrums. Oppositional Behaviours:  Individuals with Tourette Syndrome usually have related difficulties or/and conditions like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), tics, processing difficulties, written la

An Individual diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome (TS) faces quite a few issues in their lives. Auditory & Visual Individuals with TS need more time to process info. For instance, in a classroom setting, a student with TS requires some time to think before they can answer a teacher's question. This can lead to some giving up entirely on expressing their opinions, and a few to  fill the awkward silence by saying negative things such as, “Shut up” and ”This is dumb”. Nonetheless, people have to remember that this happens  due to the child’s neurological difficulties and not because of deliberate misbehavior. Sensory Integration Processing specific sensory stimuli (can be hypersensitive) is a difficulty for individuals diagnosed with TS. They are easily  over-stimulated by minor things such as noise, bright lights, the feel of certain fabrics, certain tastes or smells.  Sometimes there may be a  need for excessive sensory input (chewing, hitting or hurting himself

References Kathy, G. (n.d.). TS is More than Tics: Understanding Behavioural Challenges and Related Symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.tourette.org/resource/ts-tics-understanding-behavioral-challenges-related-symptoms/ Giordano, K. J., & Edelman, M. (n.d.). Understanding Behavioral Symptoms in Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.tourette.org/resource/understanding-behavioral-symptoms-tourette-syndrome/ What is Tourette's Syndrome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpOPgSNRD_4  (singapore)  Behavioural Challenges And Symptoms Faced By Individuals With Tourette Syndrome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLmtTLWnz8&feature=youtu.be Pictures: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjTkMiAj8HcAhWHr48KHdLmDy8QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.learningliftoff.com%2Fdo-kids-get-too-much-homework%2F&psig=AOvVaw3TB2bjQuZLbMcpfSzZh9UO&ust=1532843757249272