On January 13, 2012, teachers, paraprofessionals, related services providers, and administrators attend the Tourette Syndrome (TS) training at the Challenger Center. Ms. Kathy Giordano, educational specialist from the Tourette Syndrome Association, trained those present in the symptoms and educational impact that Tourette Syndrome has on our students.
TS is a neurobiological disorder and is genetic. Each generation does not generally have the same version of the disorder. Due to the nature of the disorder, symptoms will vary from person to person, but one must have more than one motor and vocal tic to be considered for the diagnosis. Symptoms also change in appearance and frequency, and severity and intensity for a person. “The only consistent thing about TS is the inconsistency.”
In order to assist students with TS in managing their symptoms and tics, reduce their stress—provide extended time, avoid timed tests and activities, provide breaks when needed, reduce homework, provide a scribe or access to a word processor, allow lunch in a location other than the cafeteria, and develop an individualized plan with the students for stress reduction, etc.
Typical strengths for students with TS include: creative writing, art, sensitive, music, athletics, distractible (away from a compulsion), focused, science, creativity, and humor.
Typical related issues for students with TS include: tics, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, sensory issues, poor social skills, learning disabilities, impulsivity, executive dysfunctions, sleep disorders, difficulty inhibiting, giftedness, poor handwriting.
It is sometimes easier to have students with obvious symptoms and tics because the explanation for the behavior is easier. If the symptoms are mild, it may look like a bad behavior. If your explanation of a behavior is that the student is “being bad,” then the response is to punish. If you understand that this is a neurological disorder, then you can ignore the behaviors or find other ways to work with them.
All participants received CDs/ DVDs as resources. Visit with a colleague who attended if you would like to borrow these items! We also have a set available for check out at Pupil Services.
For more information and resources, visit http://www.tsa-usa.org/aMedical/whatists_cov.html