THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, MENSCH, TARTAGLIONE, FERLO, FONTANA, DINNIMAN, WOZNIAK, ORIE, WAUGH, BAKER, LOGAN, MELLOW, WASHINGTON, O'PAKE, PILEGGI, EARLL AND STACK, MAY 5, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 5, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating May 15 through June 15, 2010, as "Tourette Syndrome

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, An estimated three in every 1,000 children six to 17

years of age in the United States and this Commonwealth are

diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a neurobiological, genetic

condition which has no cure; and

WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong developmental

disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age

and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;

and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are affected by

tics which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or

vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face periodic

changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these

symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome frequently have

co-occuring conditions that further complicate their care and

diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,

mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,

executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are frequently

misunderstood by their families, educators, the community and

even by medical professionals due to their ever-changing

symptoms which at times seem controllable; and

WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome has historically been

misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional

disturbance instead of chemical biology; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often teased

and not accepted by their peers and the general public; and

WHEREAS, Children with Tourette Syndrome are often

disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators

who fail to understand the child's inability to control his or

her tics and that the child may be delayed in his or her

maturity and emotional responses; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face

discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,

coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their

unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and

WHEREAS, Schools are required to make accommodations to

support their students with Tourette Syndrome to be successful

in their education program, but many schools often focus only on

the behavioral or emotional component of the disorder and fail

to notice learning disabilities, sensory integration needs,

handwriting issues and organizational issues as being related to

Tourette Syndrome; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often very

intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when

given the proper support; and

WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with

Disabilities Act to disregard disability in hiring or promotions

and to make accommodations to support their employees with

Tourette Syndrome so the employees can be successful in the

workplace and not be forced to file for disability; and

WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, but many

employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these

accommodations for individuals with Tourette Syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,

has been established to promote awareness and provide support

and advocacy for individuals with Tourette Syndrome in this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope

for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette

Syndrome; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 15 through June 15,

2010, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and

urge all citizens to support the need for awareness and

education regarding Tourette Syndrome in order to assist those

individuals and families who deal with this neurobiological

syndrome every day of their lives.