Tourette Syndrome – The Facts! By @goldylookfleece « Cliffsull's Blog

We all hear about Tourettes Syndrome and for most of us it’s a ‘complaint’ that causes swearing -right?

Well – to be honest – that’s pretty much what I thought – especially from watching Pete on Big Brother a few years back – shouting ‘fuck’ when Davina asked the Housemates not to swear.

I know someone on twitter and he also has Tourette’s. He is from Scotland and is an amazing chap to talk to , a devoted Grandfather and massive Fundraiser.

Today he held a Tourettes Tweetathon about the Facts of the Syndrome and with his kind permission I am blogging them because they are of interest to me and more importantly – They are EXPLANATORY!!!

 
 

 
 

• TS is known to affect 1/100 schoolchildren.(people?) – although the number could be higher as diagnostic rates are improving.
  
• Boys and men show the symptoms of TS more frequently than girls and women. The ratio is about 4:1.
  
• There can be other conditions associated with TS, in particular OCD, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder
  
• TS is a tic disorder. It is a neurological condition. It is not emotional in origin but it may have psychological consequences and effects.
  
• A tic is an involuntary movement (motor tic) or sound (vocal tic). Tics can be ‘invisible’ – intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviours.
  
• Movements may vary from minor (eye blinking) to severe (complex movements of the whole body).
  
• Sounds may vary, from throat clearing to whole phrases.
  
• Phrases can be repeated, from whole words to parts of sentences (Echolalia)
  
• Although the movements are involuntary, the person may be able to control them at times, although this takes a lot of concentration.
  
• People can ‘suppress’ the tics for a period of time, but they will always need to tic when they feel safe to do so.
  
• A child may control or suppress tics at school; however they may then tic constantly for a while as soon as they get home.
  
• A teacher wont realise a child has tics if they ‘suppress’, but it also means that the child will not be concentrating on school work.
  
• A child may only release the tics in the privacy of their own room, so that others, even parents, aren’t aware of their existence.
  
• Early multi-diagnosis, positive intervention, medication/alternative therapies may help someone living with TS.
  
• Someone living with TS – what may help – understanding from family, friends and public.
  
• Someone living with TS – what may help – understanding from Health, Education, Social Work, Employer.
  
• Someone living with TS – what may help – regular breaks/support for parents/carers/siblings.
  
• Someone living with TS – what may help – contact with others through Tourette Scotland.
  
• TS, which was once thought to be extremely rare, is in fact one of the most common genetic diseases affecting man and many people have it.
  
• Tics range from mild to severe and can change over time, ‘wax and wane’ so they don’t stay the same for life.
  
• People with TS are often of high intelligence, and are often creative or artistic.
  
• TS is genetic and can run in families, which may also include someone with Asperger’s or OCD, ADHD or similar conditions.
  
• Teachers can assist to make a positive learning experience for a student with TS, by creating a supportive environment in the classroom
  
• Awareness raising should include the personal experience of those with TS, which is helpful in explaining the varied aspects of the condition to others and in gaining empathy.
  
• Use of methods such as ‘Time Out’ and working with the student on their individual learning plans.
  
• The use of management tools, can assist the teacher and the student in smoothing the way for productive learning relationships.
  
•  More understanding, in that the condition has many facets, should be sought and teachers be made aware
  of the particular traits and challenges facing the individuals in their care.
  
  

   
   

   
   

  So – there you go – some amazing facts that I never knew and which I felt were worth a Blog Post! Hope you enjoyed it.
  

  If you want to ask the Author of these facts more you can find Paul on Twitter – http://twitter.com/goldylookfleece
  

   
   

   
   

• Share this:
• Email
• Reddit
• StumbleUpon
• Digg
• Facebook
• Press This

via cliffsull.wordpress.com