November 05, 2011
How do you deal with someone diagnosed with Tourette syndrome?
Category: Tourette Syndrome
This is no laughing matter. A dear friend of mine has this disorder, and I want to know how you would cope if someone you know was diagnosed with it.
In case you were unfamiliar with Tourette syndrome, it’s a disorder that causes a person to use obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks. Some may also have tic disorders like eye blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. It is something they cannot control.
3 Responses to “How do you deal with someone diagnosed with Tourette syndrome?”
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November 5th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
you just have to be patient. there are new drugs and surgery options, depending on the severity of the Tourette’s. my husband works with a lot of guys with developmental disabilities, and some have it. just be patient, and understanding. just remember that it frustrates the person just as much as it does everyone around them. most of the time it’s just noises and grunts, not curse words.
you are a good person, to stick by your friend. he’s going to need people like you .
November 5th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I knew someone who had it, but he mostly made noises & did some movements. He didn’t have obscene verbal outbursts(that I saw), so perhaps his was a mild case. I just ignored it & pretended not to notice.
November 5th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
I taught junior high for 13 years and at one time had 2 students (in different class periods) with Tourette syndrome. The first thing we (all their teachers, counselors, etc.) did was educate ourselves as much as possible. We then asked the two boys how they wanted it addressed and they decided that they wanted their fellow students to know everything about Tourette syndrome also. Educating the other students increased the boys’ acceptance into the school community a great deal.