May 15 - June 15 is Tourettes Awareness Month. According to WebMD, Tourettes is "a brain condition that starts in childhood. Children with Tourettes make sounds or movements, such as coughing or twitching, that they can't control. These are called tics. Tics usually start at about age 2, may be at their worst by age 12, and tend to decrease during teenage years. They can continue into adulthood but occur less often and are less severe."
What Tourette Syndrome (TS) is and is not can be as confusing for both those who live with it as those who do not. Here are a few myths surrounding TS:
- Swearing: It is a common myth that those with TS swear often and uncontrollably. In reality, only a small percentage of those with Tourette’s Syndrome have obscenity specific outbursts. In fact, there is a special name for it: coprolalia.
- They are mentally challenged: Tourette Syndrome is not like Down’s Syndrome or cerebral palsy. It is a neurological disorder that is characterized by involuntary movement and speech tics.
- It is extremely rare: It is estimated that every 1 in 100 children suffers from Tourette Syndrome, a higher number than those with autism. Most of them go undiagnosed and misunderstood.
- TS is debilitating: Most people with Tourette Syndrome can go on to lead rich, fulfilling lives and take part in just about any activity as anyone else, especially if they are cared for properly.
- Those with TS can’t do jobs with fine motor functions" Another false truth, famous Canadian surgeon Dr. Matt Doran was able to do complex procedures even though he had Tourette Syndrome.
More information regarding Tourette Syndrome can be accessed by visiting http://tourette.org/Medical/whatists_cov.html
*Sources: http://www.njcts.org/tsparents/top-10-tourette-syndrome-myths, http://www.webmd.com/brain/tourettes-syndrome
(posted by Mr. Pizzo)
No comments:
Post a Comment
After your comment id reviewed by the blog moderators, all appropriate feedback will be posted .