Tourette's Syndrome Research Paper

Disability Definition:

One in every 2,500 individuals is diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. This syndrome is defined as a neurobiological disorder that is characterized by involuntary motor and vocal movements. These are called tics and tics are one of the main defining characteristics of the disorder.{1} Those who have tics usually can experience social, academic, behavioral, and emotional problems due to the inability to control their bodies. Some tics that are often experiences are eye rolling, copralalia (yelling swear words, etc), grimacing, throat clearing, blinking, etc. Tics can sometimes be controlled but act as an “itch that you can’t scratch” for those whom experience them, they often let all of the tics that they kept under
In elementary school, children always have questions such as, “Why does this work?” or “Why are you doing that?” More often than not those who have tics will have an episode in the classroom, and when that happens sometimes they face great ridicule from their peers. This is likely to happen because their peers are ignorant to the situation and they do not understand why he or she acts the way they do; they think it is voluntary. Those with TS often feel alone, embarrassed and misunderstood by peers and sometimes even their educators. These factors also contribute to the child’s emotional well being. Those who experience tics and feel misunderstood tend to have poor self esteem and poor self confidence as a result of not having any
Motor and vocal tics can occur at any time and sometimes can be controlled. They act as “an itch that you can’t scratch” giving those who have them, incontrollable urges to jerk, grimace, roll their eyes and smack their lips. These are examples of motor tics, a major vocal tic that is most known for when having TS is copralalia. Copralalia is the act of yelling out swear words and sometimes derogatory comments without warrant to do so. Tourette’s is usually diagnosed in elementary years and is diagnosed mainly on the presence of tics. If tics persist for a certain number of months, there is a high chance of TS. The best way to work with someone who has TS and their peers is to give them a chance to explain what it is that they have to their peers, giving them some understanding behind the tics. Also using an IEP plan to maximize the learning experiences of these children is key. Those with TS cannot help who they are and how they act, but we