Tourettes Action Support And Advocacy Workshops

Posted on 31 January 2023 by Pippa McClounan

Cardiff Workshop

Cardiff

Saturday 25 March 2023 9.30am - 6pm

Future Inn, Hemingway Road, Cardiff CF10 4AU

 

Following this day long workshop you will leave equipped with the knowledge of how to support those with TS better, both at home and within the education setting.  You will have a thorough understanding on how Tourette Syndrome affects those with the condition and the hidden barriers they face daily. You will leave the day feeling empowered in the knowledge that you will be using tested strategies that actually work.

 

Timetable for the day*

 

Check in

9.30am

 

Welcome and House Keeping

9.45am – 10am

Session hosted by TA Events Manager Emma Myers

 

Session 1 – Introduction to TS and Co-occurring Conditions

10am – 11am

Session hosted by Dr Ed Palmer

In this session we will discuss tics, Tourette Syndrome and the co-occurring conditions and how these can have impact a person.  Ed will then go on to discuss his life of living and working with TS.

 

Break

11am – 11.15am

 

Session 2 – An Interactive Sensory Session

11.15pm – 12.15pm

Session hosted by TA advocacy Lead Ione Georgakis

In this session we will explore the sensory system and how this can affect those with TS.  We will discuss and share strategies on how to manage and regulate the sensory system, giving examples of sensory diets, to enable people to create their own to support them once at home.

 

LUNCH BREAK

12.15pm – 1pm

 

Session 3 – School and the Hidden Barriers to Learning

1pm – 2pm

Session hosted by TA Education Manager Lucy Toghill 

In this session we will address the many misconceptions about what support to expect from school. It will provide you with a good understanding of what hidden barriers to learning children with TS may experience, and what strategies schools can put in place to best support children both academically and emotionally.

The session aims to give parents and also education staff the knowledge and confidence to know how children can feel supported, understood and accepted in their own school community.

Following the presentation, there will be the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Break

2pm – 2.15pm

 

Session 4 – The Impact of Anxiety and Stress

2.15pm – 3.15pm

Session hosted by Katie Skinner

It is increasingly common for children to self-identify as anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. This in turn causes enormous concern for parents. In this brief exploration of worry, we will:

• Consider the differences between stress and anxiety and how these feelings can have both positive and negative effects on learning and engagement
• Develop an understanding of different causes and presentations of anxiety
• Explore positive, practical strategies and approaches that can be used to support the development of personalised coping strategies

 

Session 5 – Lived Experience Journey

3.15pm- 4pm

Session hosted by TA advocacy Lead Ione Georgakis

In this session Ione discusses what her school journey was like and how TS affected her growing up. She will talk about areas of TS that are not always discussed, such as pain, acceptance and self-advocacy.

 

Session 6 – Sleep Issues with TS

4pm – 5.15pm

Session hosted by Katie Skinner

Katie will explore common sleep issues for youngsters with Tourette Syndrome, the science behind sleep and how we can use this knowledge to develop practical strategies to help our children (and us!) to get a better night's sleep

 

Networking

5.15pm – 6pm

During the last part of the day we have protected parent and professional time – to chat confidentially and/or network. 

*Session content, order and timings can be subject to change

 

About our Speakers

 

Ione Georgakis – Tourettes Action Advocacy Lead

Ione is an occupational therapist who works part-time as the lead advocate for Tourettes Action. Using her lived experience, Ione educates employers and healthcare providers on the characteristics of Tourette Syndrome, seeking to myth bust, and reduce barriers to engagement and wellbeing. 

 

Lucy Toghill – Tourettes Action Education Manager

Lucy consults with schools and education professionals to optimise understanding of and support for pupils with TS. Lucy worked in mainstream schools as a primary school teacher for 15 years before joining Tourettes Action and she has a son with TS.

 

Katie Skinner - Specialist Teacher (SEMH Swale)

Katie has experience supporting pupils with communication, interaction, social and emotional difficulties to develop appropriate emotional regulation skills in both specialist and mainstream settings, at primary and secondary level. Katie is also a Sleep Scotland Sleep Counsellor and holds an NPQ in Senior Leadership.

 

Dr Edward Palmer - Junior Doctor & TA Trustee

Dr Ed Palmer is a trainee Psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Birmingham. He has had symptoms of TS since early childhood but was only diagnosed with the condition at age 14. It was at this point that he came into contact with Tourettes Action and became aware of the support they provide.He has been a trustee of the charity since 2017 and is passionate about increasing awareness of TS and access to diagnosis and treatment across the UK.

TICKETS COST £10 PER PERSON

 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR CARDIFF

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