Tourette's Awareness Month 15 May - 15 June 2025 - Misunderstood Campaign
Tourette syndrome remains one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions, public perceptions are often shaped by stigma, jokes, and misinformation.
For this years campaign #Misunderstood, we give viewers a window into the real, everyday challenges faced by those with TS - from having to constantly explain their tics to dealing with public reactions.
We call for empathy, connection, and change!
Why do we need a campaign?
Whilst the majority of people have heard of Tourette syndrome, many do not really understand what it entails, most thinking that it is comedic and rare and that shouting out obscenities is a criteria for diagnosis – all of which are untrue.
Too often, people assume TS is simply about swearing or bad behaviour, but the reality is far more complex. Many individuals with TS live with a range of tics - motor and vocal - that can be exhausting, painful, and emotionally draining. These misconceptions can lead to isolation and discrimination, making awareness and empathy more important than ever.
With more education in schools, workplaces and general advertising, we hope to eradicate many of the misconceptions around TS.
We want to educate, empower, eradicate stigma and foster empathy
How do we aim to help?
During Tourette's Awareness Month we will be running a campaign called #Misunderstood . We have created a deeply moving short film, featuring Grace, who lives with TS, and a choir of individuals with the condition. Together, they perform a stunning reinterpretation of Nina Simone’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, bringing the message to life through music, emotion, and shared experience.
The film gives viewers a window into the real, everyday challenges faced by those with TS - from having to constantly explain their tics to dealing with public reactions. It ends with a powerful call for empathy, connection, and change.
Watch the film and explore the campaign here: Tourettes Action Misunderstood Awareness Campaign Film
We are calling on you – our wonderful TS community to really get the message out there.
We want you to be a Tourette's Awareness Partner, reach out to your contacts, be that in education, health, media or the corporate world, to ask for their support in spreading the message.
How can you become a TA Tourette's Awareness Month Partner?
A TA Tourette's Awareness Month Partner is anyone who agrees to support Tourette's Awareness month, being involved as much or as little as they like. During Tourette's Awareness month we’re encouraging schools, workplaces, community groups, and individuals to get behind the #Misunderstood campaign by:
- Share our #Misunderstood Video
Watch our video here and share on your social platforms. We ask that every time you see one of our social posts that you like, comment and share to really help get the message out there.
- Display our #Misunderstood posters in your local community
We are asking people to put a poster up in their workplace, place of leisure or school. Please fill out this form, stating how many posters you would like and your delivery address and we will send them out to you.
- Share our #Misunderstood posters digitally
We would like our poster displayed on digital billboards, TV screens in restaurants and places of leisure and on everyones social media. Download our Misunderstood poster here.
- Take part in #MoveForTourettes
Join our annual fundraising campaign to support TS Awareness Month. You decide your own challenge, to be completed any time between 15 May - 15 June, and earn yourself a bespoke medal, wristband and certificate.
- Hold an awareness lesson in school
We have ready made lesson plans to make the teachers' job that little bit easier. The lesson plans contain presentations, videos and worksheets, relevant to all ages. You can download the KS1 lesson plan here, the KS2 lesson plan here and the KS3 / 4 lesson plan here.
- Hold a Green day
We want as many schools and businesses as possible to hold an awareness day. Wear it Green Day are all about educating the audience on TS. Schools will be sent an educational pack containing leaflets, balloons, posters in paper and digital format and our social media pack.
Please fill out the following form if you want to hold an awareness day, stating if you are a school or business, giving your postal address and we will send your pack. You could also ask everyone to wear something green to mark the occasion, asking for a £1 donation. If you could hold a collection on your awareness day, we would be extremely grateful.
We encourage everyone taking part in an awareness day to take photographs and share them with us, so we can celebrate everyone coming together to support TS.
- Take part in #TurnItGreen
We want the UK to turn Green on the 7th June to mark Tourette's Awareness Day and would encourage you to reach out to your local buildings and bridges to get them involved. More info here
