1. Tourette Syndrome Lenora Overstreet Radford University Dr. Tyler’s class

2. Definition It is an incapacitating neurological condition that causes uncontrolled vocal and motor twitches/spasms. Believed to be from a brain dysfunction. Echolalia – repeating/resonating verbal statements Coprolalia – involuntary swearing/profanity

3. Symptoms One can’t control the tics (motor or verbal) Examples: Grinding teeth barking » clenched hands hissing hitting self clicking Usually begins when one is 3-10 yrs old. Check with a physician if a tic develops because not all develop TS. Most take medicine if tics become bothersome.

4. Not specific to any societal group. Males are 3 to 4 times more apt to be affected The tics come and go over time, and they fluctuate in occurrence, location, and severity. Usually peak severity of the tics is before the mid- teenage years. About 10% of those affected have the progressive type that goes into adulthood. Many with TS have ADHD, learning disabilities, or even obsessive-compulsive disorders.

5. Is there a cure?  Doctors use MRI, CT (computerized tomography), EEG scans, and blood tests to exclude other confusing conditions (like cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, or even streptococcal infections)  No cure, but medication can be taken to lessen the occurrence/strength of the tics.  50/50 chance if you have TS that your child will, too.

6.  Can expect to live an average life span; not degenerative and doesn’t lessen one’s intellect!  Over time, the tics should lessen but other neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, panic attacks, or antisocial behaviors) may increase.

7. What can teachers do to help alleviate the social/educational challenges? Students with TS have the same intellectual range as normal students. The tics or other symptoms can affect their educational performance. Make sure they are in the less restrictive environment. More than likely, students with TS will have visual/motor incorporation hurdles– trouble seeing it, processing it, and recording it!

8. Students may need untimed tests, smaller classes, computer/tape recorder for writing or reading assignments Above all, students need a tolerant teacher and students who are aware of the “situation” and clear rules of what will be tolerated in the classroom.

9. Works Cited Bagheri, M., Kerbeshian, J., & Burd, L. (1999). Recognition and Management of Tourette’s Syndrome and Tic Disorders. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.ord/afp/990415ap/2263.html.http://www.aafp.ord/afp/990415ap/2263.html Hawley, J. & Gray, S., MD. (2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/24/09 from http://emedicine.medscpae.com/article/289457- overview.http://emedicine.medscpae.com/article/289457- overview National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2000). Tourette Syndrome Facts. Retrieved on 2/10/09 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/tourette/detail_tourette.htm. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/tourette/detail_tourette.htm No Author. (5/9/2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/28/09 from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art Packer, L., PhD. (2002). Tips on Dealing with Medication Side Effects. Retrieved on 3/1/09 from http://www.schoolbehavior.com.http://www.schoolbehavior.com Packer, L., PhD. (2009). Treatment of Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome. Retrieved on 3/5/09 from www.tourettesyndrome.net/tourette_treatment.htm. www.tourettesyndrome.net/tourette_treatment.htm Swierzewski, S., MD. (2001). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Causes and Risk Factors. Retreived on 2/13/09 from www.nuerologychannel.com. www.nuerologychannel.com Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. (2009). What is TS? Retrieved on 2/13/09 from http://www.tourette.ca/whatists.php.http://www.tourette.ca/whatists.php

10. Video to watch http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffw orks/howstuffworks/389-how-tourette- syndrome-works-video.htmhttp://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffw orks/howstuffworks/389-how-tourette- syndrome-works-video.htm http://www.metacafe.com/w/157860/