Tourettes Action

Tourettes Action Charity Bio

Tourettes Action is the leading support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome and their families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Thye want to make sure that people with TS get the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to the fullest.

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is still a very misunderstood condition. It is an inherited neurological condition affecting one schoolchild in every hundred and more than 300,000 children and adults in the UK. The key feature is tics – involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements. Up to 85% of people with TS will also experience co-occurring conditions and features which might include ADHD, OCD and Anxiety. TS is often misunderstood as a condition which makes people swear or say socially inappropriate things. Although it is true that ‘coprolalia’ – the clinical term for involuntary swearing – is a symptom of TS, it only affects a minority of people. 90% of people with TS do not have coprolalia.

For a small charity they make a huge impact from pre diagnosis when parents are fearful and do not know where to go, and after diagnosis when TA is the first port of call for thousands of families who are frightened and bewildered about what the future holds.

Who Do Tourettes Action support?

They support children and young people struggling at school by educating both teachers and their peers about TS so that the person with TS can achieve their potential free of bullying and stigma. This way these children have a greater chance of succeeding academically as well as being more accepted amongst their peers.

They support adults with TS in the workplace offering advocacy and support when things are going wrong. This allows these adults to have the tools necessary to not only work efficiently in their workplace but also to not feel out of place within an organisation.

They also help people navigate the maze of services and benefits which are available to make their lives easier. They offer a valuable helpdesk service, online and face-to-face support groups, befriending, ID cards, webinars, numerous events and much more.

Tourettes Action turns 40 this year! Amazingly, they have been supporting the TS community for four decades - they know they make a difference, and they will continue to support those who live with TS.

As the charity receives no government funding, your support is greatly appreciated and essential for the charity's future.

For more information, have a look on their website https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/, and please vote for Tourettes Action in the charity poll.Thank you.