THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MOUL, BAKER, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARHART, HARPER, HELM, HESS, HICKERNELL, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSICO, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PICKETT, QUIGLEY, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, ROAE, ROCK, ROEBUCK, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 25, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 25, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2012, 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 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-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 that the child is unable 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, 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 (ADA) to disregard disability in hiring or

promotions and to make reasonable 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 disorder will help guarantee hope

for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette

Syndrome; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

needs of these individuals with neurological impairment and

recognize May 15 through June 15, 2012, as "Tourette Syndrome

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to

support the need for Tourette Syndrome awareness and education

in order to assist those individuals and families who deal with

this neurobiological disorder every day of their lives.