School Resources and Support for All Ages
Navigating school can be difficult for many students, and for a student with Tourette Syndrome (TS) it can bring unique challenges. This page provides resources and tools for children, teens, parents, and guardians to help students living with TS or another Tic Disorder thrive in and out of the classroom.
NEW Resources for Students, Parents, and Guardians
Our newest classroom resources help students and their parents and guardians navigate IEP and 504 meetings with confidence and delve into college and campus life with tics.
Find important resources you can share directly with educators and school staff.
Your residence hall is your home, and no one should have to suppress tics to be accepted where they live. This resource helps college students with Tourette Syndrome or another Tic Disorder and residence life staff understand possible housing accommodations, respond with respect, and advocate for the right supports. Download this resource.
This resource outlines potential housing accommodations, including room assignments, environmental changes, and community living supports, to help students and campus teams create a living space that works. Download this resource.
Walking into an IEP or 504 meeting can feel overwhelming, and this cheat sheet helps parents and guardians stay focused on what their child needs in order to learn at school. Find questions to ask, and useful phrases for responding to common pushback. It also shows how to make sure accommodations and goals are specific, measurable, and never aimed at reducing tics. Download this resource.
This fillable profile captures what makes each student unique. When completed, this can be given to the student’s teacher to provide to substitutes, related arts teachers, and other school staff as a quick reference for a student’s typical tics, triggers, and supports, so everyone can respond consistently. Download this resource.
More Resources for Families and Students
School-Related Challenges
Educating Peers
Co-Occurring Conditions
Resources for Parents
Attending school can be challenging in many ways for children with Tourette Syndrome. Parents advocating in a positive manner demonstrate their intention of being a member of the team that supports their child in obtaining an education. Learn how to advocate for your child.
Children with Tourette Syndrome often face significant challenges in school due to vocal and motor tics, as well as co-occurring conditions such as ADD, ADHD, OCD, dysgraphia, etc. Effective communication with school administrators and your child’s “team” is essential to helping your child succeed and benefit from appropriate accommodations such as IEPs and 504 plans. Find more information on IEPs, 504s, and other accommodations.
As your child transitions back to school, it’s important to lock in support for them while they’re there. Find tips and practices to secure that support from caring teachers and administrators in the building.
- Education Advocacy: The Basics for Helping your Child w TS
- How to Advocate for your Child in School
- Building and Maintaining Positive Partnerships with Your Child’s School
- Living with Tourette & Tic Disorders: A Guide for Patients and Families (Tool Kit)
- Special Education Terms, Acronyms, and Definitions
Resources for Educators
Classroom Strategies
Tourette Syndrome (TS) can be a challenging diagnosis and have a major impact on the education process. Using effective supports is critical in helping students with TS reach their fullest potential. Explore the Educator’s Guide for Developing Plans for Students with Tourette Syndrome.
A student with Tourette Syndrome has certain education rights and accommodations. These include a 504 Plan, an Independent Education Plan (IEP), as well as laws advocating for children with special needs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a special education law, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a general education law. Find more information on accommodations and education rights.
Educators and support staff need to recognize complex symptoms and develop effective support plans to allow children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Tic Disorders to thrive both socially and academically. Explore a comprehensive guide for educators.
Bring a FREE TS Education Program to Your School
The Tourette Association of America (TAA) is currently scheduling FREE education programs on Tourette Syndrome and co-occurring conditions in the school setting through its partnership with the CDC.
How can I bring a program to my school district?
- The Tourette Association of America’s (TAA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Education Programs provide an overview of Tourette Syndrome, common co-occurring conditions, the impact of TS on learning, and strategies that can be implemented based on students’ needs. Options for virtual presentations and in-person 1 to 1.5 hour time blocks are available where we have an in-person presenter.
- The TAA now has a 3-part video series (20-minutes each) available for professional development and CEU credit, with the option to schedule a live Q&A session.
- All attendees receive a selection of educational materials and resources.
For more information, or if your institution or organization is interested in hosting a CDC Education program, please email programs@tourette.org.
The TAA and CDC, in cooperation with University of Florida Health, has a series of videos available for educators. CE credits are available:
Tourette Syndrome in Schools Continuing Education and Professional Development Course
Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida
