New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders presents educator workshops for N.J. school professionals. In March, NJCTS is partnering with Bergen Community College and Ocean County College to offer “Understanding Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders: A Workshop for Educators.”
March 28 Educator Workshop
March 30 Educator Workshop
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. It is frequently accompanied by other conditions like obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit disorders.
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 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.
