Information for kids with TS ages 9-12

Having Tourette's means that you make movements and/or sounds that you don't have complete control over.  Those movements and sounds are called tics.  You didn't get to choose whether you have tics or not and you didn't cause the tics.  Tourette's is not who you are.  It is just a small part of the whole you.  There are hundreds of thousands of kids that have Tourette's too, but there is only one you. 

Just about everybody has something different about them.  Some kids have glasses and some kids have braces.  Some kids stutter, some kids have to wear leg braces and some kids have to go everywhere in a wheelchair.  Some kids need extra help with math. You happen to have Tourette's.  You pobably have more things that make you different from other kids.  Maybe you are really good at reading, have a good sense of humor, or have great skills on the basketball court.  Perhaps you would like to be a veterinarian, a doctor, an artist, or a teacher.   Remember that kids with TS are just as smart, funny, creative, and fun as any other kid.  A kid with a TS diagnosis can accomplish just as much as a kid without TS. 

You are now at the age when most kids with Tourette's Syndrome (TS) have the highest number of tics.  Usually, the number and frequency of tics will start to decrease as you enter late adolescence or early adulthood.  You probably have a lot of questions.  Hopefully, you will find some answers to those questions here. 

Disclaimer- I am "just a mom".  Every effort was made to insure this information was as accurate as possible.  However, no information found on any website should be substituted for the care of a licensed competent professional.

A WORD ABOUT SPELLING
The official name of the condition, according to the DSM-IV-TR, is Tourette's disorder.
Tourette's is also referred to as TS, Tourette Syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, GTS, and Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome.
You may also see it referred to as the Tourette Syndrome Spectrum Disorder,
but many proponents of this terminology include conditions in this alleged spectrum
which have not been shown to be part of or genetically linked to Tourette's syndrome.
Common misspellings are tourettes syndrome, tourretts, tourrettes, touretts, terrets, terets, turettes, and turrets syndrom.
Tourette's disease is another common misnomer (it's not a disease).
Another common misspelling is ticks: ticks are nasty beasts that bite dogs and people. People with Tourette's disorder have tics.

Thank you to TSNW for permission to use the copywrited wording above and for her countless hours of dedication to Tourette's education. 
Thank you to Haejinn for permission to print her story on how to tell kids about TS (found on the FAQ page).
Thank you to Haejinn, SLeaska, HBool, Glen625,Sabina0815, MaterialDiva, BlueChin and KBurra for their support and help getting this website up and running.  It was truly a collaborative effort.
Thank you  to Teri and Leah for their input and support.  Not only have you helped with this website but you have also supported us through this journey.  Words cannot thank you enough!
A huge THANK YOU to our son for not only helping with this site but for teaching me more about life,  humility, and humanity than anyone else I know.

Copyright 2006.  All right reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied, re-printed, or used in any form without my prior written consent.
By Cristimo3: Growing Up With Tourette's Syndrome- Information for Kids