“tourettes” – what’s that?

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Have I got ‘tourettes’?

What IS ‘tourettes’?PS ...

“She’s got TS”

“You must have tourettes“

“He’s got tourettes”

“tourettes” – what’s that?

tourettes =

Tourette Syndrome (TS)

“tourettes” – what’s that?

What is it?

People with Tourette Syndrome have tics

Tics mean you make sounds and do movements you really can’t control

You have them for at least a year to be diagnosed with TS

“tourettes” – what’s that?

What it’s not

Tourette Syndrome is not a mental illness

Tourette Syndrome does not affect how intelligent you are

You can’t catch it - it’s not infectious

“tourettes” – what’s that?

What are tics?

Muscle movements or noises which the person can’t help doing

Tics are fast

They happen again and again

People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing them on purpose

“tourettes” – what’s that?

twirling

Some examples of tics

Blinking

sniffing, sn, sn ,, ,, ,,, hair flicking,,,,,,,, clicking, AHEMclearing your throatAHEM 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

touchingCoughing

“tourettes” – what’s that?

The swearing tic(the one everyone knows about)

It’s very uncommon in children with TS

It’s 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

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Tics wax and waneThey come and go

They change in how severe they are

And how often they occur

He didn’t do that last week ...

He’s doing it all the time

now.She’s just putting it

on. People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing their tics on purpose.

“tourettes” – what’s 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 ...?

“tourettes” – what’s that?

People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing tics on purpose

Stop doing that! It’s driving me mad!

But I can’t help it...

“tourettes” – what’s that?

How do you get it?

?Tourette Syndrome is an inherited condition.

Scientists don’t yet know the exact causes.

They think is it probably a mixture of different things; genes and environment.

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Who has TS?

I do!About 300,000 to 330,000 children and adults in the UK

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Who has TS?

I do!One in a hundred school children has TS.

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Who has TS?

Three times as many boys as girls have TS.

I do!

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Who has TS?

I do!Tics often get stronger and more obvious around the ages of 10 to 12.

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Who has TS?

I do!Tics often reduce and in some people disappear by the age of 18.

“tourettes” – what’s that?

Famous people with TS

Footballers – like Tim Howard, Everton goalie

Musicians – from Mozart to Pete Bennett

Lots of cool people!

“tourettes” – what’s 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.

“tourettes” – what’s that?

If someone has Tourette Syndrome

Don’t 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 - don’t leave them out

“tourettes” – what’s that?

THANK YOU!

PS: You now know more about Tourette Syndrome than most adults!

Why not test your mum or dad at home?

“tourettes” – what’s that?

If you’d 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