PRINTER'S NO. 1813
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
370
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, DINNIMAN, EICHELBERGER, SABATINA,
FONTANA, GREENLEAF, BREWSTER, RAFFERTY, FARNESE, TEPLITZ,
WHITE, BARTOLOTTA, SCHWANK AND COSTA, MAY 16, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 16, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 15 through June 15, 2016, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 3 in every 1,000 children between 6 and
17 years of age in the United States 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
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co-occurring 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, Employers are required under the Americans with
Disabilities Act to disregard disability when hiring or
promoting employees and to make accommodations to support
employees with Tourette syndrome so the employees can be
successful in the workplace and not be forced to file for
disability; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often very
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intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
given the proper support; and
WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, however,
many employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these
accommodations for individuals with Tourette syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
promotes awareness and provides support and advocacy for
individuals with Tourette syndrome in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Understanding this disorder helps 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,
2016, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania in
recognition of the needs of individuals with Tourette syndrome;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all residents 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.
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