1. tourettes – whats that?

2. Have I got tourettes? What IS tourettes? PS... Shes got TS You must have tourettes Hes got tourettes

3. tourettes – whats that? tourettes = Tourette Syndrome (TS)

4. tourettes – whats that? What is it? People with Tourette Syndrome have tics Tics mean you make sounds and do movements you really cant control You have them for at least a year to be diagnosed with TS

5. tourettes – whats that? What its not Tourette Syndrome is not a mental illness Tourette Syndrome does not affect how intelligent you are You cant catch it - its not infectious

6. tourettes – whats that? What are tics? Muscle movements or noises which the person cant help doing Tics are fast They happen again and again People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing them on purpose

7. tourettes – whats that? twirling Some examples of tics Blinking sniffing, sn, sn,,,,,,, hair flicking,,,,,,,, clicking, AHEM clearing your throat AHEM saying the same word over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVE Shrugging jumping touching Coughing

8. tourettes – whats that? The swearing tic (the one everyone knows about) Its very uncommon in children with TS Its uncommon in adults with TS In fact...... only one person in ten with TS has it The medical name is coprolalia cop – row – LA – lee – ya

9. tourettes – whats that? Tics wax and wane They come and go They change in how severe they are And how often they occur He didnt do that last week... Hes doing it all the time now. Shes just putting it on. People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing their tics on purpose.

10. tourettes – whats that? But People with TS can stop their tics for a short time if they concentrate hard. This sometimes confuses teachers She IS just putting it on. And maybe other pupils...?

11. tourettes – whats that? People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing tics on purpose Stop doing that! Its driving me mad! But I cant help it...

12. tourettes – whats that? How do you get it? ? Tourette Syndrome is an inherited condition. Scientists dont yet know the exact causes. They think is it probably a mixture of different things; genes and environment.

13. tourettes – whats that? Who has TS? I do! About 300,000 to 330,000 children and adults in the UK

14. tourettes – whats that? Who has TS? I do! One in a hundred school children has TS.

15. tourettes – whats that? Who has TS? Three times as many boys as girls have TS. I do!

16. tourettes – whats that? Who has TS? I do! Tics often get stronger and more obvious around the ages of 10 to 12.

17. tourettes – whats that? Who has TS? I do! Tics often reduce and in some people disappear by the age of 18.

18. tourettes – whats that? Famous people with TS Footballers – like Tim Howard, Everton goalie Musicians – from Mozart to Pete Bennett Lots of cool people!

19. tourettes – whats that? How do you treat TS? There are some tablets and pills that may help the signs of TS. Therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy which tries to alter the way we think, and habit reversal training can help some people. Doctors try to tell young patients that they are not alone. Many other young people have TS.

20. tourettes – whats that? If someone has Tourette Syndrome Dont tease them about their TS Stand up for them if they are bullied. Tell an adult. Let them alone to release their tics in private, if they want to Help them join in - dont leave them out

21. tourettes – whats that? THANK YOU! PS: You now know more about Tourette Syndrome than most adults! Why not test your mum or dad at home?

22. tourettes – whats that? If youd like to know more about Tourette Syndrome you can contact Ring the free Helpline 0300 777 8427 or email help@tourettes-action.org.uk There is also lots of information on the website www.tourettes-action.org.uk