Tourette Association - Texas Chapter

unduplicated work includes:
Advocacy and Consulting: Providing no-cost professional Consulting, Tourette Texas evaluates the “whole” child or adult to recommend and to assist in implementing appropriate medical diagnosis and management, educational needs and accommodations, social skills, career goals, and/or family interactions. Additionally, we advocate with families, physicians, schools and legal entities to ensure the best interests of our clients are always served. Education and In-Service: Accurate information about Tourette’s syndrome is disseminated to physicians, educators, parents and families and at events throughout the state, such as Health Fairs. In-Service presentations are made to school districts and annual Educational presentations are scheduled across the state at the start of school for college students, parents and young adults. Medical Assistance Program: Financially strapped, under-insured and non-insured individuals are funded for visits to experienced physicians for diagnosis and management of their T.S. Scholarships and Direct Client Services: Deserving and needy families are provided with scholarships for educational assistance and for other necessities. Support Groups: Monthly meetings at our many Support Groups around the state provide speakers, support, materials and social interaction for families, children and adults dealing with Tourette’s syndrome. Support Groups are located in Austin, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas, East Texas/Golden Triangle, Fort Worth, Houston, Katy, Lubbock, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Tyler and the Woodlands. Camp du Ballon Rouge: Celebrating its 14th year in 2016, Camp dBR hosts children and teens withTourette’s syndrome to a tuition-free (the only tuition-free T.S. camp in the nation) three day camping weekend at Camp For All in Burton, TX. For most, this camp is the only time they feel free of prejudice or embarrassment about their symptoms. Family Events and Activities: Tourette Texas hosts across-the-state holiday parties, Summer/Back to School parties, pizza parties at support group meetings, and a November “Museum Day,” all free of charge to our very often over-whelmed and under-funded families. Youth Ambassador Program: Tourette Texas helps sponsor and train children and teens to talk about TS. These young people (ages 13-18) speak about T.S. before their peers at school, sports leagues, scout troops, camps and after school programs, helping to demystify T.S. and spread awareness. Tourette Texas works to save the lives of those with TS and their families. Until a cure for Tourette’s syndrome is found, Tourette Texas will work to provide medical assistance and scholarships; offer social activities and events for children, adults and siblings; educate the public and professionals for heightened awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of the disorder; provide professional “whole person” consulting; and advocate for an improved quality of life for its clients.