Transcript Slide 1

“tourettes” – what’s that?
“tourettes” – what’s that?
“He’s got tourettes”
Have I got
‘tourettes’?
“She’s got TS”
“You must have tourettes“
PS ...
What IS
‘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?
Some examples of tics
Blinking
touching
Shrugging
Coughing
sniffing, sn, sn
,, ,, ,,,
hair flicking
,,,,,,,, clicking, A H E M c l e a r i n g y o u r
t h r o a t 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
n
o
d
d
i
n
g
“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 wane
They come and go
He didn’t do
that last
week ...
They change in how severe they are
And how often they occur
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?
Stop doing that! It’s
driving me mad!
But I can’t help
it...
People with Tourette Syndrome are not doing tics on purpose
“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?
I do!
Three times as many
boys as girls have TS.
“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
Lots of cool people!
Footballers – like Tim Howard, Everton goalie
Musicians – from Mozart to Pete Bennett
“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 [email protected]
There is also lots of information on the website
www.tourettes-action.org.uk