100 likes | 257 Views
Tourette Syndrome. Lenora Overstreet Radford University Dr. Tyler’s class. Definition . It is an incapacitating neurological condition that causes uncontrolled vocal and motor twitches/spasms. Believed to be from a brain dysfunction. Echolalia – repeating/resonating verbal statements
E N D
Tourette Syndrome Lenora Overstreet Radford University Dr. Tyler’s class
Definition • It is an incapacitating neurological condition that causes uncontrolled vocal and motor twitches/spasms. • Believed to be from a brain dysfunction. • Echolalia – repeating/resonating verbal statements • Coprolalia– involuntary swearing/profanity
Symptoms • One can’t control the tics (motor or verbal) • Examples: Grinding teeth barking • clenched hands hissing hitting self clicking • Usually begins when one is 3-10 yrs old. • Check with a physician if a tic develops because not all develop TS. • Most take medicine if tics become bothersome.
Not specific to any societal group. • Males are 3 to 4 times more apt to be affected • The tics come and go over time, and they fluctuate in occurrence, location, and severity. • Usually peak severity of the tics is before the mid-teenage years. • About 10% of those affected have the progressive type that goes into adulthood. • Many with TS have ADHD, learning disabilities, or even obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Is there a cure? • Doctors use MRI, CT (computerized tomography), EEG scans, and blood tests to exclude other confusing conditions (like cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, or even streptococcal infections) • No cure, but medication can be taken to lessen the occurrence/strength of the tics. • 50/50 chance if you have TS that your child will, too.
Can expect to live an average life span; not degenerative and doesn’t lessen one’s intellect! • Over time, the tics should lessen but other neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, panic attacks, or antisocial behaviors) may increase.
What can teachers do to help alleviate the social/educational challenges? • Students with TS have the same intellectual range as normal students. • The tics or other symptoms can affect their educational performance. • Make sure they are in the less restrictive environment. • More than likely, students with TS will have visual/motor incorporation hurdles– trouble seeing it, processing it, and recording it!
Students may need untimed tests, smaller classes, computer/tape recorder for writing or reading assignments • Above all, students need a tolerant teacher and students who are aware of the “situation” and clear rules of what will be tolerated in the classroom.
Works Cited • Bagheri, M., Kerbeshian, J., & Burd, L. (1999). Recognition and Management of Tourette’s Syndrome and Tic Disorders. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.ord/afp/990415ap/2263.html. • Hawley, J. & Gray, S., MD. (2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/24/09 from http://emedicine.medscpae.com/article/289457-overview. • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2000). Tourette Syndrome Facts. Retrieved on 2/10/09 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/tourette/detail_tourette.htm. • No Author. (5/9/2008). Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved on 2/28/09 from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art. • Packer, L., PhD. (2002). Tips on Dealing with Medication Side Effects. Retrieved on 3/1/09 from http://www.schoolbehavior.com. • Packer, L., PhD. (2009). Treatment of Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome. Retrieved on 3/5/09 from www.tourettesyndrome.net/tourette_treatment.htm. • Swierzewski, S., MD. (2001). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Causes and Risk Factors. Retreived on 2/13/09 from www.nuerologychannel.com. • Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. (2009). What is TS? Retrieved on 2/13/09 from http://www.tourette.ca/whatists.php.
Video to watch • http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffworks/howstuffworks/389-how-tourette-syndrome-works-video.htm • http://www.metacafe.com/w/157860/