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PRINTER'S NO. 1638
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
294
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MOUL, SONNEY, RYAN, STAATS, BURNS, YOUNGBLOOD,
KINSEY, BERNSTINE, BIZZARRO, WILLIAMS, READSHAW, MEHAFFIE,
ZIMMERMAN, DiGIROLAMO, CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD, SCHMITT,
FREEMAN, SANCHEZ, LONGIETTI, HILL-EVANS, NEILSON, KORTZ,
BARRAR, BROWN, CIRESI, OBERLANDER, T. DAVIS, McNEILL, BROOKS,
TOOHIL, PICKETT AND HELM, MAY 1, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 1, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2019, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 3 in every 1,000 children 6 to 17 years
of age in the United States are diagnosed with Tourette
syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Tourette syndrome is defined as a group of
childhood-onset, neurodevelopmental conditions, known
collectively as tic disorders, which becomes evident in early
childhood or adolescence; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with tic disorders suffer lifelong
symptoms that occur in all ethnic groups and that affects men
three to four times more often than women; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are affected by
tics which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and
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WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face periodic
changes in the nature, frequency and severity of their tics,
without forewarning; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome frequently have
co-occurring conditions that complicate their care and diagnosis
and cause more impairment than the tics themselves, 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, Tourette syndrome has historically been
misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
disturbance instead of a condition of chemical biology; 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 their
tics and that the child may be delayed in their maturity and
emotional responses; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face
discrimination while dealing with their unpredictable disorder;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are intelligent
and capable of great contributions to society when given the
proper supports; and
WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
Disabilities Act to disregard disability when hiring or
promoting individuals and make accommodations for employees with
Tourette syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Employers benefit from employee success, yet many
employers often neglect to hire, promote and make accommodations
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for individuals with Tourette syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
promotes awareness and provides support and disability 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 individuals with Tourette
syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May 15
through June 15, 2019, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge the
needs of individuals with neurological impairment and urge all
residents to support Tourette syndrome awareness and education
in order to assist those individuals and families who deal with
this neurobiological disorder every day.
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