Tourette's Awareness Month 2026 - No Choice
NO CHOICE
Tourette syndrome remains one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions. Too often, public perceptions are shaped by stigma, snap judgements, jokes, and misinformation.
This Tourette’s Awareness Month, Tourettes Action is asking people to pause, reflect, and recognise a simple truth:
People with Tourette syndrome cannot choose their tics – but everyone else can choose how they respond
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The Campaign: #NoChoice
People with Tourette syndrome live with involuntary motor and vocal tics. These can include sudden movements, sounds, words, facial expressions, or behaviours that draw attention in public spaces. They are not deliberate, not behavioural, and not something that can be switched off.
What is a choice is how others react.
Stares. Raised eyebrows. Assumptions. Hurtful comments. Exclusion.
Or…
Kindness. Patience. Inclusion. Understanding.
Why Do We Need This Campaign?
Most people have heard of TS, but many still believe harmful myths – that it’s rare, comedic, or defined by swearing.
In reality:
- Tics can be painful, exhausting, and emotionally draining
- Swearing tics are not a criteria for diagnosis but can be, and are, extremely difficult to live with
- Daily life often involves managing public reactions rather than the condition itself
Negative responses can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, isolation, discrimination, and exclusion from education, work, and community life.
Awareness alone isn’t enough.
We need empathy in action.
The Message
Throughout Tourette’s Awareness Month, we’ll be sharing bold visuals, videos and powerful statements based on lived experience:
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Person with TS |
Public Response |
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I don’t choose to make faces |
So I choose not to make assumptions |
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I don’t choose what my tics say |
So I choose not to say it back |
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I don’t choose to raise my voice |
So I choose not to raise my eyebrows |
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I don’t choose to have this condition |
So I choose to have patience |
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I don't choose to say mean things |
So I choose to reply with kindness |
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I don't choose to stand out |
So I choose to help you fit in |
Each message lands on the same core truth:
Tourette’s is not a choice.
How you respond is.
Choose Understanding.
Our Aim
This campaign hopes to:
- Educate the public about the realities of Tourette syndrome
- Challenge everyday stigma and judgement
- Empower people with TS by validating their experiences
- Encourage schools, workplaces, and communities to respond with compassion
- Replace misunderstanding with understanding
How We’re Bringing the Campaign to Life
Become a Tourette’s Awareness Month Partner
Anyone can be a partner – individuals, schools, workplaces, community groups, or organisations. Support can be big or small. What matters is taking part. SIGN UP HERE
Share the Campaign
- Watch and share our #NoChoice campaign visuals and videos - LAUNCHING 15 MAY
- Like, comment, and repost on our social channels to help the message travel further
Display the Posters
- Display posters in workplaces, schools, leisure venues, and community spaces - Order your copies here
- Share them digitally on screens, billboards, websites, and social media - Click here to download now
Use our Social Media Pack
Help us spread the message by making the campaign visible in your everyday spaces. We’re encouraging members of the Tourette’s community and allies to use our social media pack to show their support and help spark important conversations.
You can:
- Add our email footer banner to your work and personal emails
- Update your social media cover photos across your platforms
- Use our virtual backgrounds on Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls
Every small action helps raise awareness and challenge misconceptions.
You can download the full social media pack here and start sharing today.
Education Settings
- Hold an awareness lesson using Tourettes Action’s ready‑made lesson plans: You can download the KS1 lesson plan here, the KS2 lesson plan here and the KS3 / 4 lesson plan here
- Start conversations early about difference, inclusion, and kindness
Wear It Green / Awareness Days
- Host a Green Day to spark discussion and show solidarity. Sign up here
- Encourage participation with a small donation and shared learning
Turn It Green
- On 7 June – Tourette’s Awareness Day, help us light the UK green
- Contact local landmarks, buildings, and bridges to show their support. Find out more 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 technical t-shirt and digital certificate.
Our Call to Action
We are asking everyone to:
- Pause before judging
- Respond with kindness
- Include rather than exclude
- Listen to lived experience
- Choose understanding
