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Find your way around the Tourette Action website.

If you have any questions about information on our site please contact us.

  • Home
    Tourettes Action is a support and research charity working to improve the lives of people living with Tourette Syndrome. Our services include online l...
  • About TS
    Find out more about TS In this section discover: What TS is The symptoms of TS What causes TS The steps to getting diagnosed with TS Different...
    • What is TS?
      Key features The key features are tics – involuntary sounds and movements, which must be present for at least 12 months to meet the diagnostic crit...
    • Symptoms
      Tics Tics usually start in childhood around the age of six to seven years and tic symptoms often fluctuate in severity and frequency.  Although the ...
    • Co-occurring symptoms
      In order to understand and best support people living with TS it is vital to acknowledge - aside from tics - other associated features and conditions ...
    • Causes
      The brain Brain scanning in people with TS has shown that there are some parts of the brain that function differently or have a slightly different si...
    • Getting diagnosed
      For TS to be diagnosed, multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic must be present for at least 12 months. TS can only be diagnosed by observing ...
    • Managing TS
      If you or a family member has Tourette Syndrome (TS), Tourettes Action is here for you. We consult with leading health experts and professionals in th...
      • Behavioural Therapies
        Behavioural therapies and Tourette Syndrome Behavioural therapies can be useful for most people with tic disorders, although evidence suggests that i...
      • Telemedicine
          Liz Murray*, Seonaid Anderson and Tara Murphy, Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist from Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust (GOSH)  Be...
      • Medication
        Medication can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life of people with TS when needed. Unfortunately side effects of the treatments are not uncommo...
      • Other approaches
        The benefits of a healthy lifestyle  Diet and exercise There are many different ways of generating health and well-being, the most obvious being a ...
      • Neurosurgery
        DBS in Tourette Syndrome Among the neurosurgical techniques, deep brain stimulation (DBS) with implantation of electrodes at selected targets undoubt...
    • Resources
      Click on one of the coloured boxes below to see information relevant to you, including research, treatment and about children with TS. From there, you...
    • FAQs
      If you have any other questions about TS please contact our Helpdesk....
    • eLearning
      Our eLearning course, Understanding Tourette Syndrome is a module packed full of information.  In this module, you will learn what Tourette Syndrom...
  • Find support
    Support based information and services for people with TS and their families Education Employment Benefits Information for Adults with TS Young...
    • Helpdesk
      You can reach us in a number of different ways:   Live chat:  Instant support via our website available Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm Contact...
    • Online Support Groups
      Our online support groups are a great opportunity for the TS community to connect with each other. Hosted on video platform Zoom, our Online Support ...
    • In Person Support Groups
      Our growing national network of face-to-face support groups facilitated by dedicated volunteers make a significant positive impact on the Tourette syn...
    • Education
        If your child has been recently diagnosed we suggest taking the following steps: Supporting your child through their education, needs to be approa...
    • Employment
      However, for some people with TS, their symptoms can make it difficult to work regular hours or in their preferred field. Sometimes it is necessary fo...
    • Benefits
      The nature of TS can mean that sometimes it is difficult to work regular hours. Whether or not you consider your TS to be a disability, there are bene...
    • Adults with TS
      This section looks at how TS is recognised under Disability Law in the UK, what state benefits may be available to people with TS, the responsibility ...
    • Young people
      There is a lot of information about TS available, but Tourettes Action knows that because it is a complicated condition a lot of the material can be q...
    • TS Passport
      Professionals worked closely with young people with TS to explore their psychosocial and educational experiences and to examine what factors influence...
    • TA ID cards
      Sometimes the symptoms of TS can be difficult to explain, and in situations like busy pubs, restaurants or on public transport, you may not want to ge...
    • TA Grants
      We award grants of up to £500 for equipment that supports people with TS in their day-to-day life. Some examples of what we have funded in the past i...
    • TS around the world
      If you belong to a group or know of another organisation not on this list please contact TA and we will be happy to add them. Argentina - Tourette ...
  • Community
    Events Find out about local and national events run by Tourettes Action and volunteers in the TS community. TS Champions The TS Champion programmeÂ...
    • Events
        TICfest events - our popular weekend family residential events run annualy throughout the late spring/summer in different locations across the UK....
      • Events Calendar
      • Events by Region
      • TICfest
        TICfest 2024 We are delighted to announce the dates for our fabulous TICfest events in 2024.   Exciting News Thanks to Awards for All Wales, in A...
      • TEENfest
        TEENfest 2024 We are absolutely delighted to announce the date for our fabulous TEENfest event in 2024. Registration is open for Expressions of Inte...
      • Weekend for adults with TS
        Weekend for Adults with TS We are absolutely delighted to announce the date for our fabulous Adult Weekend in 2024 Registration is open for Expressi...
    • TA Blog
      If you would like to write about your experiences of TS, we would love to hear from you. Please email us to find out more and discuss what you might l...
    • TS Champions Programme
      Spread Tolerance of TS The aim is to educate young people to spread tolerance of and understanding about TS, while displacing the myths and stereotyp...
      • TS Champions - Class of 2024
        The Tourettes Action TS Champion programme brings together young people to advocate for and talk about TS and Tic Disorders in their local community...
      • TS Champions - Class of 2023
        The Tourettes Action TS Champion programme brings together young people to advocate for and talk about TS and Tic Disorders in their local community...
    • TS Advisory Panel
      Meet our Advisory Panel members!   Amanda Marples   Amanda Marples is a Social Worker and writer from Rotherham in South Yorkshire...
    • TS Friendly Scheme
      The TS Friendly Scheme is a way for organisations to confirm their commitment to developing an environment and culture that enables people of all ages...
      • Our TS Friendly Organisations
        All recognised organisations have completed a bespoke TA training session and have shown a commitment to supporting and understanding the needs of peo...
    • Corporate Partners
      Tourettes Action & Corporates - A Partnership With Impact   We believe there is a huge mutual benefit to these special corporate relationships:...
    • Your TS videos
      Why not make your own video? If you have something you want to say about your TS that contributes to helping, supporting, reassuring and informing th...
    • TA online
      Sign up now to follow us at: Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram If you want news direct to your inbox don’t forget to sign up to the TA...
    • TA Newsletter
      The monthly Tourettes Action newsletter is emailed directly to your inbox and is packed with information about events, research projects, fundraising ...
    • TACA - Youth Creativity Awards Exhibition
      Each year the TACA are open throughout the summer for young people to submit their pieces of visual or performance art. A small panel of professional ...
  • Get involved
    Donate to Tourettes Action Our work is funded completely by voluntary donations so your donation, be it £10 or £1,000, is essential in enabling us ...
    • Make a donation
      Without the support of people like you, it would not be possible for Tourettes Action (TA) to continue this work.We receive no government funding and ...
      • Other ways to donate
        Donate in celebration Is it your birthday soon or are you getting married? If so why not ask for donations to Tourettes Action instead of presents? I...
      • Leave a legacy to Tourettes Action
        By making a Will you can ensure that your wishes, and the people and causes you care about, are provided for. After providing for your family and fri...
    • Fundraise for TA
      There are lots of ways to get involved with fundraising for TA. Many of our supporters collect sponsorship for taking part in an organised challenge, ...
      • Move for Tourette's
        Join us in celebrating TS Awareness Month from 15 May to 15 June by supporting our campaign!   What's the challenge? You have the freedom to set y...
      • Tea for Tourette's
        What is it? Coffee mornings and tea parties are the bread and butter of fundraising for charities. They provide a great opportunity to get your frien...
      • Fundraise your way
        Your options for events to organise are limited only by your imagination. Here are some ideas: Ask your school to organise a non-uniform day in aid...
      • Sponsored challenges
        Run the London Marathon for TA The Virgin London Marathon is the biggest charity event in the world. TA is lucky to have one Golden Bond for the Virg...
    • Shop
      Order your goodies now TA merchandise make great gifts or order some for yourself to show your support. Add items to your shopping basket and then fo...
    • Campaigns
      As a charity, Tourettes Action want people with TS to receive the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to t...
      • Tourette's Awareness Month 2023
        For this years campaign, #ItsWhatMakesMeTic, we will be sharing real life content as it happens.  The content will be told by our 5 ambassadors in r...
      • #TourettesWeMatter
        What’s the issue? There are over 300,000 children and adults living with tic disorders in the UK. Tics are usually lifelong, meaning that we need s...
      • Tourette's Awareness 2022
        What is the issue? Whilst the majority of people have heard of Tourette Syndrome, many do not really understand what it entails, most thinking that s...
    • Volunteer for TA
      Helpdesk volunteers Our Helpdesk is a vital service that provides information and support to people with TS, their families and health and education ...
  • Professionals
    Employers Employers have specific responsibilities when supporting people with TS. We can offer training, resources, tips on interviewing those with ...
    • Employers
      Many people with TS have amazing streaks of creativity. There are no jobs closed to people with TS. People with the condition work as chefs, bricklaye...
    • Health Professionals
      Information for GPs What is TS and how is it treated? Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics,...
    • Education Professionals
      How can TS affect learning? Approximately 1% of school children have TS (the same prevelance as Autism). Many of those children will try to suppr...
    • Our Training Offer
      Employers, health professionals, education professionals, and individuals with Tourette Syndrome or their families can contact us by email at help@tou...
  • News
  • About TA
    Find out more about Tourettes Action Watch our video to find hear about our work from the people we support. You can find out more about who we are ...
    • TA team
       Staff Emma McNally      CEO Emma is both a successful business executive and an avid campaigner for theneeds of people with T...
    • Our Trustees
      TA trustees Marc Lewis Chair of Trustees Marc became a trustee in 2020 and has been a supporter of the charity for a number of years. Mar...
    • TA Accounts
      TA Accounts - 2022 - 2023 TA Accounts - 2021 - 2022 TA accounts - 2020 - 2021 If you have any questions about the TA accounts please email us....
    • Jobs at TA
      Accounts Assistant: 14 hours a week: Monday to Thursday mornings Salary: £8,000 to £10,800 pa dependent on knowledge and experience Location: Base...
    • Contact us
    • Media enquiries
      Tourettes Action can provide the media with: Up to date and accurate information on TS Comment from leading figures and healthcare professionals ...
    • Privacy policy
      The term ‘Tourettes Action’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is Tourette Syndrome (UK) Associati...
    • Data Protection Policy
  • Research
    Tourettes Action is the leading UK based charity working with families and individuals living with TS, and is therefore well placed to promote researc...
    • Tourettes Action Funded Research
      Why Tourettes Action funded this round of research TS is perhaps the most publicly misunderstood of all neurological conditions and has considerable ...
      • 2017 Funded Projects
        1. The impact of executive functioning and time processing abilities on adaptive functioning in children with Tourette Syndrome Dr Tara Murphy, Consu...
      • 2018 Funded Projects
        1. Tackle your Tics: Feasibility of a brief, intensive group-based exposure therapy programme for children with Tourette Syndrome Annet Heijerman, D...
      • 2019 Funded Projects
        Developing novel brain imaging approaches to investigate the neural basis of premonitory urges in Tourette Syndrome Prof Penny Gowland, Professor o...
    • Research Projects
      Important aspects of research include increasing our understanding of the prevalence of TS, the quality of life among people affected by TS and risk a...
      • Current projects
        Understanding the expression of everyday vocal and motor tics in adults A cross-disciplinary team from the University of Hertfordshire is looking fo...
      • Previous projects
        2023 Research Studies Parents of young people aged 10-17 years old who have developed sudden tics Amanda Ludlow, a researcher at the University of H...
        • Research Archive
          Pre 2019 Research Studies European Tourette Syndrome Research Survey A short questionnaire for patients and families with Tourette Syndrome, to inform...
      • Spotlight on researchers
          Danni Phoenix-Kane is a PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire. Danni's doctoral research is exploring the diagnostic journey, lived exp...
    • Support with your research
        Recruiting participants We know that recruiting participants for research can sometimes be challenging. Tourettes Action can help your recruitmen...
    • Ask the experts
      Tourettes Action asked the TS community to tell us what questions they would ask health professionals and researchers working in the field of Tourette...
  • Donate
    The money you donate goes a long way • £300 pays towards support in education for a pupil with TS• £250 ena...

Events

Wednesday 20 March 19:00

Adults with TS Support group, Online 7pm - 8pm

Thursday 21 March 10:00

Parent/Caregiver Online Coffee Morning, Online 10am - 11am

Friday 22 March 10:00

Q&A Drop-in session, Online 10am - 11am

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