ABOUT TS

WHAT IS TOURETTE SYNDROME?

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological condition that causes repeated involuntary and uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics. It's estimated that as many as 1 in 100 children express some degree of the condition. So chances are you know someone who is affected by Tourette.

WHAT CAUSES TICS?

No one knows exactly what causes tics, but stress and anxiety can make symptoms more severe.

WHAT DOES A TIC FEEL LIKE?

Tics are not completely involuntary and can be suppressed for a short time. But holding in a tic causes greater and greater discomfort until it's relieved (like trying to hold in a sneeze).

WHY DO PEOPLE WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME SWEAR?

Actually, most people with Tourette don't swear involuntarily. This aspect of TS only affects 10% of people who have it. The two main types of expressions are Coprolalia (using obscene language) and Copropraxia (using obscene gestures).

IS TS MORE THAN JUST TICS?

Yes, symptoms typically appear before the individual is 18 years old, and are often accompanied by other disorders, like ADHD, OCD, depression, school phobias, and learning disabilities. These can be a bigger challenge than TS itself.

ARE THERE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE?

There is no known cure for Tourette but a lot of progress has been made in understanding how we can reduce its severity and impact - including behavioral therapies and other treatment options.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT TS?

Visit our resource center or njcts.org for more information or to get in touch with medical professionals and others in the TS community.

MANIFESTO

LET’S NOT PRETEND TOURETTE SYNDROME (TS) DOESN’T MAKE US ANY DIFFERENT. IT DOES. IT HAS ITS IMMENSE CHALLENGES. ITS SETBACKS. BUT BECAUSE OF THESE DAILY HARD-FOUGHT BATTLES. WE’RE STRONGER. WE FEEL MORE. SENSE MORE. SEE MORE. IT’S WHEN WE STOP HIDING AND START ACCEPTING OUR BEAUTIFUL QUIRKS THAT WE CAN BEAT DOWN THIS CONDITION. LET’S HARNESS OUR FOCUS ON THE GOOD. THE THINGS WE LOVE. A SOCCER FIELD OR STAGE OR BLANK CANVAS OR SCIENTIFIC EQUATION. LET THE TICS AND DISTRACTIONS INSPIRE THE BURSTS OF BRILLIANCE. THE IMPULSIVE GENIUS. THE ATHLETE, WRITER, TEACHER, MUSICIAN, TEEN, MOTHER. THAT’S WHEN WE’RE FREE. FREE TO STEP OUT FROM BEHIND THE SHADOW OF TS. FREE TO DREAM. FREE TO BE OUR AMAZING SELVES. SURE, WE’LL HAVE OUR HARD DAYS, BUT NOTHING CAN STOP US FROM HAVING THE GLORIOUS ONES. BE ANYTHING WE WANT TO BE. BE ONE OF THE GREATS.