THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

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

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

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.