May 15th - June 15th is #TouretteAwareness Month! #TSAwarenessMonth

May 15- June 15th is #TouretteAwareness Month! #TSAwarenessMonth

Did you know Tourette Syndrome is a form of #neurodivergence?

Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The condition is characterized by sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called tics. Tics can range from mild/inconsequential to moderate and severe, and are disabling in some cases.

Motor tics are movements. There are simple motor tics such as eye blinking or shoulder shrugging, and complex motor tics which involve multiple muscle groups or combinations of movements.

Vocal (phonic) tics produce a sound, like sniffing or throat clearing, and complex vocal tics are words or phrases that may or may not be recognizable but that consistently occur out of context.

In only 10-15% of cases, the words may be inappropriate (i.e., swear words, ethnic slurs, or other socially unacceptable words or phrases). This type of vocal tic, called coprolalia, is often portrayed or mocked in the media as a common symptom of TS.

An estimated 1% of school aged children in Canada are diagnosed with TS, and some believe many go undiagnosed, making the occurrence potentially much higher.

Also, Tourette Syndrome (TS), #ADHD, and #Autism frequently co-occur, sharing significant genetic and neurological underpinnings.

Up to 85% of people with TS have an associated condition, with 50-75% also being ADHDers and about 20% being Autistic. They are considered overlapping neurodevelopmental conditions rather than entirely separate entities, often requiring coordinated treatment/support approaches.

It’s not unlikely you have or will work with someone with Tourrette Syndrome, and when you do, they are very likely to identify with multiple neurodivergent labels.

Open communication, education for colleagues, and focusing on skill sets enable success, as tics can cause exhaustion from suppression or interfere with concentration.

🗝️ Key Workplace Accommodations and Strategies:

🤸‍♀️ Flexible Environment: Remote work or private, quiet workspaces can reduce stress, which often triggers tics.

⏲️ Schedule Flexibility: Allowing for "tic breaks" when symptoms, including exhaustion from suppressing tics, are high.

🗣️ Communication & Education: Educating co-workers and supervisors about TS to prevent misunderstandings, as tics can be mistaken for disruptive behavior or lack of professionalism.

👩‍💻 Technological Support: Using speech-to-text software if hand/arm tics affect typing.

🤝 Awareness and Support for Co-occurring Conditions: Addressing associated conditions like ADHD or anxiety is critical for overall performance

‼️ Most importantly, ASK the person what they need to feel supported and do their best work. Accommodations and adjustments at work must be collaborative in order to effectively address barriers.

🆘 If you want help equipping your leaders with the skills and confidence to navigate #disability conversations, shoot me an email: gill@thelowachiever.com