Children and TS

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the unique needs of school-aged children suffering from Tourette syndrome (TS). The author asserts that more aggressive -- and more understanding -- steps are required to address the students' needs, which often manifest themselves as behavioral issues in the classroom. The paper begins with a general overview of Tourette syndrome. Next, the author discusses early identification, the social stigma attached to TS and the psychological impact it has on children. The paper then looks at how teachers and school administrators are currently responding to TS in their classrooms and then suggests ways to be more proactive and sensitive in their response.

From the Paper:

"Before discussing some of the particulars with Tourette syndrome (TS) and its impact on children, it might first be helpful to give some background on the condition itself. According to the Tourette Syndrome Association, the condition was first described by Gilles de la Tourette about one hundred years ago. It is considered to be the most debilitating tic disorder, and is characterized by multiform, frequently changing motor and phonic tics. While the cause of TS is not known, it is generally acknowledged that the condition is inherited genetically. Recent studies, however, have found links between children with TS and early childhood bacterial infections, such as strep throat, that may attack the brain nerve cells in children that develop TS. Even though more is known about the condition today than ever before, it rtemains frequently misdiagnosed in childhood as a simple behavior problem. In fact, nearly eighty percent of people who have TS do not learn of their condition through a doctor; rather, they read about the condition in the media and finally put two and two together . Some estimates indicate as many as 200,000 people in the United States are affected by TS, the symptoms of which may include a "strange array of head jerks, facial grimaces, eye blinks, vocal outbursts and other compulsive tics and behaviors." In severe and rare cases, people with TS may even feel compelled to harm themselves by biting their lips and cheeks or banging their head against a wall."

More papers on Children and TS:

• Term Paper # 7157 : "Tourette Syndrome in Children"
• Essay # 64560 : "Tourette's Syndrome (TS)"
• Case Study # 30254 : "Tourette's Syndrome and Education"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: