NJCTS Grand Rounds Sessions provide clinicians with expert advice on recognizing and treating Tourette Syndrome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2008

Somerville, NJ – New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in partnership with Bergen Regional Medical Center is pleased to offer grand rounds sessions on October 21 at 10:30 a.m.

     NJCTS is the group behind the world’s first TS DNA Shaing Repository located at Rutgers University. The genetic materials collected through this endeavor are available to qualified researchers studying Tourette Syndrome. For more visit http://www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org.

NJCTS Grand Rounds Sessions feature national experts advising professionals on how to identify and treat the signs and symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Family practitioners, pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health and education professionals involved with the treatment and care of children and adolescents are welcome to attend. Sign up by calling  NJCTS at 908-575-7350 or e-mail info@njcts.org

Topics to be discussed:
   Evaluating behaviors and determining if Tourette Syndrome is present when children/adolescents exhibit behaviors associated with mental health and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, OCD, depression, ADD/ADHD, and school phobia, etc.
   Evaluating and examining the need for collaboration among psychiatry, neurology, psychology and social services for treatment of Tourette Syndrome.
   Identifying the latest treatment modalities and be able to select and develop the most appropriate treatment plans.
   Identifying the most frequently used medications (generic names only) for treating Tourette Syndrome and the associated mental and behavioral health disorders.
   
   When:    October 21, 2008 ~ 10:30 a.m.
   Where:  Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus NJ
                Building G Auditorium   
   Presenter: Dr. Robert King 
                    Professor of Child Psychiatry 
                    Yale University Medical School 
                    Medical Director of the Yale University Child Study Center -                                                                           Tourette Syndrome Obsessive    Compulsive Disorder Clinic
   Register:    NJCTS 908-575-7350 or e-mail info@njcts.org

NJCTS is a collaboration among TSANJ, Rutgers University and health professionals across New Jersey.

NJCTS Presents Workshop for Teachers on Understanding Tourette Syndrome on September 25th

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: Kelley Teabo
908-575-7350

The Workshops will be facilitated by Cheryl Ludwig, MA, CCC-SLP a speech language therapist with 33 years of education experience.

Thursday, September 25th
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Mercer County College, West Windsor campus
$35.00 – register at www.mccc.edu
Workshop code: XCP262

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 workshop 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.