CEUs will be provided for this live event, for both medical professionals and educators.
Coprolalia (uttering curse words or socially inappropriate words) is one of the most recognized symptoms of Tourette syndrome, and perhaps one of the most misunderstood symptoms. When present, coprolalia may lead to embarrassment, bullying, or social isolation. When individuals with Tourette syndrome do not have coprolalia, they may wonder whether it is on the horizon, and whether they really do have the right diagnosis. The related symptom copropraxia refers to socially inappropriate gestures or movements. Together we call these experiences “coprophenomena.”
This panel will address real-life experiences with coprophenomena, misconceptions, and strategies for managing these symptoms when they do occur. Panelists will include people who have personal experience with coprolalia or copropraxia sharing about their experiences, and specialists from psychology, psychiatry, occupational therapy and neurology backgrounds that can help address options for managing symptoms. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to gain well-rounded insight into coprophenomena!
Community Panelists
Callum deQuevedo, TAA Rising Leader
Bio
Callum is a senior in high school in northeastern Pennsylvania and Rising Leader with the TAA. He was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 14 and had Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in 2022 to help with his Tics. He enjoys reading, playing tennis, and lifting weights. Callum’s DBS journey was followed and reported on by CBS Lead National News Correspondent, David Begnaud on CBS Morningss in January 2023 and again in December 2023. Callum has spoken at the TAA TS Impulse Jam fundraising event and participated as a guest on the TAA webinar on coprophenomena in January 2024. As a former TAA Youth Ambassador he participated for several years in National Advocacy day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. He strives to be an involved member in not just his community but the Tourette syndrome community. He hopes, after college, to work professionally within the Tourette community.
Dawn deQuevedo, Parent
Bio
Dawn lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband Chad, and son Callum. She is also a mom to their daughter, Mallory. She has been involved with the TAA since 2019 when Callum was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 14.
Dawn has been a school counselor in the Lakeland School District since 1998. She is a past president of the School Counselors of Northeastern PA organization and has presented about TS at their annual conference in both 2022 and 2023. Dawn and Callum have also spoken to groups at local Universities and local schools. They were recent speakers, for the second time, at the TS Impulse Jam fundraising event for the TAA. Dawn also has participated for several years in the TAA National Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. She is an educational volunteer with the TAA.
Medical Panelists
Jan Rowe, Dr. OT, OTR/L, FAOTA
Bio
Dr. Jan Rowe, former faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Occupational Therapy started the Pediatric Tourette syndrome/ tic disorder at UAB in January of 2010. Since her retirement from UAB (Dec. 2012) the clinic has moved to the Children’s Hospital System of Alabama. Dr. Rowe is the first occupational therapist to coordinate a CBIT clinic and has begun training other occupational therapists to work with children who have Tourette Syndrome or Tic disorders. She and Dr. Dure (Children’s Hospital) are working on a Tourette Association grant with Cornell to manualize CBIT for occupational therapists. Through her clinic occupational therapists have been found to be effective at delivering CBIT and offer another route to therapy for families (Rowe, Yuen & Dure, 2013). Jan received her doctorate from NOVA Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. In 2004, her Master’s in Public Health from UAB (1990) and did her undergraduate work in Occupational Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas (1982).
Barbara Coffey, M.D. MS
Bio
Barbara J. Coffey, M.D., M.S., is an internationally recognized specialist in Tourette’s Disorder and related disorders. She is a Professor in the Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Division Chief in the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Department at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL.
Dr. Coffey received her B.A. in Biology-Psychology from University of Rochester, her M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine, and M.S. in Epidemiology from Harvard University. She completed her residency in psychiatry at Boston University Hospital and her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Former Director of Pediatric Psychopharmacology at McLean Hospital and Tourette’s Clinics at McLean and Massachusetts General Hospitals from 1992-2001, Dr. Coffey remained on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School until 2007. She was Director of the Tics and Tourette’s Clinical and Research Program at NYU School of Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from 2001-2012 where she retains an Adjunct faculty position.
Dr. Coffey is the author of more than one hundred manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, chapters and abstracts. Past and new member of the Medical Advisory Board of the TAA, Dr. Coffey is a highly sought after speaker at worldwide conferences. The recipient of numerous research grants from NIH, foundations and industry, her research has focused on phenomenology, psychiatric comorbidity, neurobiology and novel treatment of Tourette’s Disorder. Dr. Coffey has been a regular recipient of Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors, and past Boston and recent New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” honors.
Irene Malaty, M.D.
Bio
Irene A. Malaty, M.D., is a fellowship-trained movement disorder specialist and the Barbara Padgett Dein Professor at the University of Florida Dept. of Neurology and Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases. She directs multi-disciplinary Tourette Association of America (TAA) and Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence at UF and serves on the American Academy of Neurology Science Committee. She is former president of the Florida Society of Neurology and is Co-chair of the Tic and Tourette Task Force of the Movement Disorder Society, as well as serving on the medical advisory board of the TAA for several years. She is an experienced investigator in clinical trials for movement disorders. She has lectured internationally and has co-authored over 100 articles, several chapters, and a recent book, Living with Parkinson disease. She is dedicated to movement disorder care, education, and research, and is especially interested in no-motor aspects of movement disorders.
Moderators & Support Staff
Joshua Nadeau, TAA VP of Medical and Scientific Affairs
Bio
Josh is a licensed psychologist and Vice President of Scientific and Medical Programs at Tourette Association of America. In this role, he facilitates collaboration among and between patients, researchers, providers, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and leading academic institutions to increase knowledge of the treatment, causes and impact of Tourette Syndrome and related disorders. In addition, he represents the Medical and Scientific Programs department in guiding existing programs and developing and implementing new projects.
In over 15 years of research and practice, “Dr. Josh” has examined the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and created/tested various modifications of CBT to address the unique needs of neurodiverse youth and adults (including those with Tourette Syndrome, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental issues).
Dr. Josh received his doctorate and completed his post-doctoral research fellowship in clinical psychology from University of South Florida. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on treatment of various mental health disorders among children, adolescents and adults. Additionally, he is an active member of the International OCD Foundation, Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, and the Association for Positive Behavioral Support.
Shannon Bennett, Ph.D.
Bio
Shannon Bennett, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and an Attending Psychologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in cognitive behavioral interventions for child, adolescents, and adults suffering from OCD, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, and other related conditions. Dr. Bennett is the Clinical Director of the NYP Youth Anxiety Center and the Director of the Weill Cornell Tourette Syndrome Center of Excellence., She provides diagnostic assessments, cognitive behavioral therapy, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and consultations in her clinical practice, and is involved in clinical research studies to improve the understanding and treatment of tic disorders and anxiety disorders.
Dr. Bennett’s past clinical and academic positions include: Assistant Attending Psychologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University.
Dr. Bennett received her B.A., from the University of Notre Dame and her Ph.D. from Boston University.
Adam Lewin, Ph.D., ABPP
Dao Duong, TAA Program Lead for Professionals and Community Education
Bio
Wendy Wegman, TAA Program Lead for Youth, Young Adult and School Education
Bio
Wendy Wegman is the Program Lead for Youth, Young Adult and School Education for the Tourette Association of America (TAA). In this role, Wendy leads programs for youth and young adults, including our Youth Ambassador and Rising Leader programs. She co-chairs the Education Advisory Board and leads school professional development that is offered at the TAA under the CDC Cooperative Agreement. Currently, she leads over 80 volunteers that are trained to present for school personnel. Wendy also organizes information and webinars for families to help them understand how to support their child with TS at school. She completed her MA in Education at Mills College and was a teacher for 25 years. Her passion and love for serving the TS community stem from her son’s personal challenges and successes with Tourette Syndrome.
