{"id":3210,"date":"2013-11-06T07:30:46","date_gmt":"2013-11-06T12:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/?p=3210"},"modified":"2020-09-15T13:59:35","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T13:59:35","slug":"coprolalia-part-3-taking-action-on-coprolalia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/coprolalia-part-3-taking-action-on-coprolalia\/","title":{"rendered":"Coprolalia, Part 3: Taking Action on Coprolalia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ken Shyminsky, <\/strong>a former vice president of the Greater Toronto Chapter of the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada<\/strong><\/a>, draws upon his personal experiences as an teacher and student with Tourette Syndrome to help children with TS and related disorders. He also has Tourette himself and is the founder of the website Neurologically Gifted<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In case you missed them, part 1 of this series discussed the nature of coprolalia<\/strong><\/a>. Part 2 talked about coping with coprolalia<\/strong><\/a>. In part 3, we’ll mention some action steps you can take when dealing with coprolalia.<\/p>\n

Use positive language<\/strong><\/p>\n

Planned ignoring of coprolalia is not just ignoring the symptom altogether especially if the behavior is having a negative or harmful impact on the individual or other members of the family.  Be sure to define what negative or harmful impact means for your family.<\/p>\n

An individual can<\/strong> contribute to the family\u2019s well being whilst consistently ticcing \u201cF**k, f**k\u201d.  It is not harmful just because you or someone else does not  particularly want to hear it.  In fact, a tic as harmless as this example may actually be helpful in directing the individual\u2019s attention away from more harmful forms of coprolalia.<\/p>\n

When helping to redirect behaviours that are harmful or have  negative impact, use positive language<\/strong> at all times. If coprolalia is loud enough or involves another person you can use positive language<\/strong> to help modify the behavior or make it less hurtful.<\/p>\n

For example, \u201cYou may say \u201cF**k\u201d but you need to increase the distance from your brother\u2019s ear when you say it\u201d. If coprolalia hurts another person\u2019s feelings you can use positive language<\/strong> to teach responsibility. For example, \u201cYou looked at your brother and called him a name.  You didn\u2019t mean to, but you hurt your brother\u2019s feelings.  You should apologize and make sure he is OK.\u201d  Note: This is not apologizing for having Tourette Syndrome and for having tics, it is an apology for having potentially hurt someone\u2019s feelings (a natural consequence).<\/em><\/p>\n

Use substitution words<\/strong><\/p>\n

Substitution words<\/strong> are words or phrases that can be strategically placed to modify coprolalia.  The important aspect of this technique is that the child must be involved and the word or phrase must satisfy the tic<\/strong>.  The individual using this technique must also be highly motivated to attempt to modify the behavior.  If they are not invested, this strategy  will not work.<\/p>\n

Always investigate motivation and the ability to invest mental energy into this task.  A child who suppresses tics all day and is mentally exhausted will not benefit from mom or dad saying, \u201cNow Johnny, say Fruit Cake, not F***.\u201d Willingness and readiness is essential and it is okay to put this task aside indefinitely if necessary.<\/p>\n

If there is enough motivation and investment from the individual, involve them  with coming up with words that are similar enough to satisfy the tic but may be less offensive. For example, \u201cShitake\u201d or \u201cFruit cake\u201d. If the tic is not satisfied the individual is essentially suppressing the tic, causing more focus on the actual tic and increasing stress.  Increasing stress on the individual is counter-productive to managing coprolalia.<\/p>\n

Be Accountable and Responsible<\/strong><\/p>\n

At first glance, being accountable<\/strong> and responsible<\/strong> for your own or your child\u2019s symptoms of coprolalia may seem harsh.  Coprolalia is an uncontrollable symptom of a neurological disorder.  This is true.  They can\u2019t help it and it is not their fault.  However, consider that being accountable and responsible does not involve finding fault or laying blame<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For example \u2013  you step on someone\u2019s toe while waiting in line.  It was an accident, the other person will assume it was an accident and it wasn\u2019t done on purpose.  You would apologize and ask if the other person was OK.  You take responsibility and you are accountable<\/strong> for the action however unintended and unwanted.  If you sneeze, you may apologize or excuse yourself, if you trip and bump someone you would apologize, if you were startled and screamed and scared someone else you would apologize and or explain.<\/p>\n

The same should apply to tics and coprolalia which have an impact on others.  It does not imply that the individual is willfully or maliciously doing the act.  For example, my son has a screaming tic and when his screaming tic and his coprolalia occur together he is screaming profanities.  Everyone in our home knows that it is unintentional and an uncontrollable symptom of his Tourette Syndrome.<\/p>\n

However, sometimes it hurts<\/strong><\/span>!  It can hurt our ears, it can startle us, it can shock our neighbours and it can hurt our feelings.  As a mom with a young son who has a \u201cf***ing b**** a**hole\u201d tic, being barraged daily with these words, I can say that it hurts, it wears me down, and it makes me sad.  No harm is intended and no blame is laid but if he apologizes, it does a few positive things for us all.<\/p>\n

Being responsible<\/strong> and accountable<\/strong> for his neurological symptoms gives him power<\/strong>!<\/p>\n