1Designating May 15 through June 15, 2013, as "Tourette Syndrome
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, An estimated three in every 1,000 children between
4six and 17 years of age in the United States and this
5Commonwealth are diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a
6neurobiological, genetic condition which has no cure; and

7WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong developmental
8disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age
9and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;
10and

11WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are affected by
12tics, which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
13vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and

14WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face periodic
15changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
16symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and

1WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome frequently have
2co-occurring conditions that further complicate their care and
3diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention
4deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
5mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,
6executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and

7WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are frequently
8misunderstood by their families, educators, the community and
9even by medical professionals due to their ever-changing
10symptoms which at times seem controllable; and

11WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome has historically been
12misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
13disturbance instead of chemical biology; and

14WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often teased
15and not accepted by their peers and the general public; and

16WHEREAS, Children with Tourette Syndrome are often
17disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators
18who fail to understand the child's inability to control his or
19her tics and that the child may be delayed in his or her
20maturity and emotional responses; and

21WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face
22discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,
23coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their
24unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and

25WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
26Disabilities Act to disregard disability in hiring or promotions
27and to make accommodations to support employees with Tourette
28Syndrome so the employees can be successful in the workplace and
29not be forced to file for disability; and

30WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often very

1intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
2given the proper supports; and

3WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, however,
4many employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these
5accommodations for individuals with Tourette Syndrome; and

6WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
7has been established to promote awareness and provide support
8and advocacy for individuals with Tourette Syndrome in this
9Commonwealth; and

10WHEREAS, Understanding this disorder will help guarantee hope
11for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
12Syndrome; therefore be it

13RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 15 through June 15,
142013, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania in
15recognition of the needs of individuals with Tourette Syndrome
16and urge all citizens to support the need for awareness and
17education regarding Tourette Syndrome in order to assist those
18individuals and families who deal with this neurobiological
19syndrome every day of their lives.