Education

  If your child has been recently diagnosed we suggest taking the following steps:

Supporting your child through their education, needs to be approached as a working partnership between families and school. The following is a brief outline of the steps you should take when talking to the school following a diagnosis of TS:

• Organise a meeting with the school to discuss how TS affects your child
• Find out what the school's level of understanding is regarding TS - what experience do they have of supporting pupils with TS?
• Provide Tourettes Action information and resources for teachers
• Discuss the possibility of informing the rest of the class/school about TS to help reduce any misunderstanding, unwanted attention or bullying. 
• Remember to discuss support needs around your child's TS and any related conditions, such as OCD, anxiety etc.
• Share information about strategies you have found helpful at home
• If your child is on medication, explain the possible side effects and inform the school of any changes to medication
• Stay in communication with the school and meet with your child's class teacher and/or SENCO as and when needed, keeping records of discussions about your child's progress.
• Discuss ways for your child to manage their tics during the school day, what adjustments can the school make to support your child?  

Resources 

• We provide bespoke advice for parents regarding any questions or concerns about their child's education and school experience. Please contact our Education Manager Lucy for further information. 

• Key Facts For Teachers leaflet - an easy-to-read leaflet that outlines the main facts that all teachers need to know when supporting a child with TS (see right-hand side downloads)

• What Makes Us Tic leaflet – an introduction to TS (see right-hand side downloads)

• Tourette Syndrome Passport - a support aid for students which contains information about their TS symptoms. Contact Venetia for your FREE passport
• TS Social Story - a learning tool to help support the exchange of information between children with TS and their teachers, friends and others in social situations (see right-hand side downloads)
• Presentation for young people - explains about Tourette Syndrome and can be used to raise awareness both at home and in school - download the presentation here

• Visit our You Tube channel for video resources

• Our Resources library has more information sheets, print and online artciles and book recommendations relating to school topics and TS

If you are an education professional please visit our Advice for teachers page