Steve Shapero
What is Tourette Syndrome?
IQ NOT affected


Neurological disorder
Repeated involuntary body movements
–
–
–

Tics (blinking, twitching, shoulder shrugging
Leg jerks, vocal sounds)
OCD, hyperactivity, impulsivity
Extreme cases:
–
–
–
Echolalia (repeating words of others)
Coprolalia (profanity)
Punching oneself in the face ***
Treatment

Meds available but may have side effects
–

Some affect cognitive processes
Therapy may be helpful
–
–
–
–
Psychotherapy
Behavior modification
Relaxation Techniques
Exercise, Biofeedback ***
Population Affected



Est. 100,000 Americans have full blown TS
Typically appear before age 18
3 to 4 times more prevalent in males ***
How It Affects Learning






Difficulty concentrating
Failure to complete tasks
Subject may act before thinking
Possible social problems due to aggressive
behavior
Tasks can seem burdensome
Need for excessive supervision ***
Accommodations
Teacher Interventions


Patience, Tolerance, Acceptance
Carve out private times
–



a place in which to reduce stress, pent up tics
Teacher working with other students so they
understand the situation
Enlist help of counselors, psychologists
Tourette Syndrome Assoc. local chapter ***
General Accommodations





Directions given 1-2 steps at a time
Ask student to repeat directions
Give student copy of lecture notes
Assign a note-taking buddy to help with
copying HW, etc.
Copy buddy can use carbon paper to give to
TS student a copy ***
General Accommodations - 2

If student is mumbling, suggest another seat
where others won’t be disturbed
–
–
“Reauditorizing” instructions can help a student
with TS grasp or remember the task
They can sometimes get stuck (looping) and need
help ***
General Accommodations - 3





Have student take break or switch tasks
Complete work orally
Brief reminders to “move on”
Seating near teacher during instructions
Seating out of areas of distraction (not near
doors, windows, reading groups) ***
General Accommodations - 4

Give student an “office” – quiet workplace
–
–


not a punishment, student can choose to go there
Could be a corner, a hall, library
Run errands for change of scene
Encouraging hand on shoulder can be a
reminder to keep on task ***
Writing Accommodations




Allow taped verbal report instead of written
Allow parent to act as secretary for child for
at-home written assignments
Assign a note-taking buddy to help with
copying HW, etc. – can use carbon paper to
give to TS student
Emphasize short intense periods of
concentration ***
Math Accommodations



Allow calculators for rote calculations and
tests
Grid paper or turn lined paper sideways to
help keep columns aligned
Cut math problems in half ***
Testing Modifications


Un-timed tests
Reduce time appearing up front
–


Reports can be pre-recorded to de-emphasize
visual distractions for other students
If using a computer scoring sheet, allow
student to write on test booklet
De-emphasize spelling, encourage proofreading with spell checkers or computer ***
The End