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Geographies of Impulse: Tourette Syndrome and the Embodied Experience(s) of Public Space
Posted on 4 November 2026 by Pippa McClounan
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A summary of a research study supported by TA
Dr Daniel P Jones’ PhD research, ‘Geographies of Impulse: Tourette Syndrome and the Embodied Experience(s) of Public Space” has just been published.
This project was promoted by Tourettes Action, and was a part of a collaboration between Newcastle University’s Department of Geography, Politics & Sociology, and TIC-Yorkshire, a regional charity. The research explores how adults with Tourette syndrome experience everyday public spaces, from streets and shops to parks and online communities. It looks at the challenges people face, how they navigate social situations, and what helps them feel more comfortable, accepted, and connected.
- Navigating public spaces
Public spaces can be challenging for people with Tourette syndrome. Tics may attract unwanted attention, lead to misunderstandings, or make social interactions difficult. The research explores how people navigate these situations, and highlights some of the types of ‘additional labour’ or work that the Tourette syndrome community have to engage in to ensure safety.
- Finding pockets of opportunity
Despite these challenges, people find places and moments where they feel more comfortable being themselves. The research calls these ‘pockets of opportunity’: situations where people are granted an opportunity to manage social encounters on their own terms, such as through ‘letting go’ of tics in moments when they are less likely to be noticed such as in an elevator, or in the moment a loud and heavy door shuts, masking any noise from a tic. These opportunities show how small changes in surroundings and how others respond make a significant difference in how tourettic people manage encounters.
- Connection, community and belonging
Feeling misunderstood or judged can make life isolating. The research explores how relationships, peer support and online community spaces are powerful in making people feel less alone, able to share experiences, and find a sense of community with people who understand their experiences.
It also recognises that these communities are not always straightforward, and that everyone’s experience of Tourette syndrome is different. The research highlights examples relating to ethnicity, gender, and sexuality that have an impact on the kinds of public spaces feel they are able to exist in, and particular experiences of Tourette syndrome that may make even TS support spaces feel unsafe.
- Sharing experiences through creativity
Creative approaches, including collaborative zine-making, offered opportunities for people to share their experiences in their own words and in different ways. These activities can help build connections, celebrate different experiences of Tourette syndrome, and make space for stories that are not always heard in research or public discussion.
Why does this research matter?
Tourette syndrome is about more than tics alone. How people experience everyday life is shaped by their surroundings, other people’s reactions and whether they feel accepted. By listening to Tourettic adults and exploring their experiences, this research highlights the importance of understanding, inclusion and creating spaces where people can feel safe, comfortable and free to be themselves. It also highlights the significant lack of attention given to adult experiences of Tourette syndrome, despite their importance in shaping support services and our wider understanding of the condition.
Finally, the research challenges the tendency to demonise digital spaces, social media and Tourettic content creators. Online spaces can play a vital role in supporting wellbeing, fostering community and helping people connect with others who understand their experiences. This is particularly important for adults, who may have limited access to in-person support and community groups due to a lack of funding and provision. Recognising the value of these digital communities is essential to understanding how Tourettic people find support, connection and belonging today.
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