Tourette Syndrome is Topic of Teacher Workshop

NJCTS Helps Teachers Understand Tourette Syndrome on September 26th

New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome offers teachers and other education professionals strategies on identifying the signs of Tourette Syndrome and helping children with TS coping skills.

Contact- Nicole Greco (NJCTS) 908-575-7350
www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org

Somerville, NJ  (September 14, 2008)– NJCTS To Present Educator Workshop.
New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, working in partnership with Raritan Valley Community College, will present “Understanding Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders: A Workshop for Educators.”

The workshop will be facilitated by Janine Howley, MA a professional educator for over two decades.

Friday, September 26th
9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Raritan Valley Community College.
$59.00
Workshop code: CRN11626 AH402-01

The workshop is designed to introduce educators to Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders with an emphasis on school-related issues. The criteria for diagnosis/clinical assessment will be explained to help teachers begin to understand the behavior of some children. The workshops will enable educators to recognize students’ difficulties, strengths, and potential. Interventions and modifications for behavior will also be addressed. Professional development hours will be offered for participation in the workshop.

Backgrounder:
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder that is manifested in involuntary physical and vocal tics. Symptoms generally appear before an individual is 18 years old. TS affects people of all ethnic groups with males affected 3 to 4 times more frequently than females.

It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have full blown TS and that as many as 1 in 200 show a partial expression of the disorder. There is no cure for TS.

The mission of NJCTS is to support the needs of families with TS, to advocate for individuals with TS, and to educate the public and professionals on TS.

Currently NJCTS operates ten support groups at regional medical centers across New Jersey; conducts awareness training for teachers, school nurses, students and community leaders; manages a TS help line for disseminating information about TS to parents, teachers, doctors, and others; and works with Rutgers University at the nation’s only student clinician TS clinic, developing support programs and treatments for families dealing with TS.

What is Tourette Syndrome?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September  19, 2008 – Contact- Nicole Greco (NJCTS) 908-575-7350Somerville, NJ- New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome offers the world’s first Tourette Syndrome DNA Cell Sharing Repository at Rutgers University. This genetic material is available for research world-wide.

    The material is donated by children who have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and their families in the hopes of helping researchers understand the underlying causes of TS.

    Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited (genetic), neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal (phonic) sounds called tics. In a few cases, the vocal tics can include inappropriate words and phrases. Symptoms generally appear before a child is 18 years old.

    Researchers know TS can affect people of all ethnic groups and that males are affected 3 to 4 times more often than females. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans have full-blown TS, and that as many as 1 in 200 people show a partial expression of the disorder such as chronic multiple tics or transient childhood tics.

    The natural course of TS varies from patient to patient. Although TS symptoms range from very mild to quite severe, the majority of cases fall in the mild category.  Research through the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome’s DNA Sharing Repository will lead scientists to understand more about the genetic causes and markers for the disorder, but also to more effective therapies.

    Visit www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org for more information or to volunteer for this important study.