PRINTER'S NO. 723
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
112
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, J. WARD, FONTANA, SCHWANK, MARTIN,
BLAKE, PHILLIPS-HILL, FOLMER, BROWNE AND BREWSTER,
MAY 6, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 6, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 15 through June 15, 2019, as
"Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 3 in every 1000 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 life-long 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 a condition of chemical biology; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often teased
and not accepted by their peers and by 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; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 15
through June 15, 2019, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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