Bill Text: PA SR101 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2011, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-02 - Introduced and adopted [SR101 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR101-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1136
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 101 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, RAFFERTY, STACK, DINNIMAN, D. WHITE, ERICKSON, PILEGGI, FERLO, GREENLEAF, FONTANA, TARTAGLIONE, BREWSTER, PIPPY, HUGHES, COSTA, TOMLINSON, WASHINGTON, BOSCOLA, EARLL AND FARNESE, MAY 2, 2011
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 2, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2011, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated three in every 1,000 children 6 through
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 actually 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, members of the
community and even by medical professionals due to their ever-
changing symptoms which at times seem controllable; and
WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome was historically 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 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, Schools are required to make accommodations to
support their students with Tourette Syndrome so that they can
be successful in their education program, but many schools often
focus only on the behavioral or emotional component of the
disorder and fail to notice learning disabilities, sensory
integration needs, handwriting issues and organizational issues
as being related to Tourette Syndrome; 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
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Disabilities Act (ADA) to disregard disability in hiring or
promotions and to make 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 the workplace success of
employees who have Tourette Syndrome, but many employers neglect
to hire, promote and make accommodations for individuals with
Tourette Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often very
intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
given the proper support; 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 illness will help guarantee hope
for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
Syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize May 15 through June 15,
2011, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and
urge all citizens to support the need for awareness and
education regarding Tourette Syndrome in order to assist
individuals and families who deal with this neurobiological
syndrome.
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