A collaboration with the Tourette Association of America, Child Mind Institute, and Fort Health.
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re not just talking about awareness, we’re promoting advocacy. Join the Tourette Association of America, the Child Mind Institute, and Fort Health in a roundtable discussion between experts and teens who are thriving with Tourette to discuss:
- The importance of self-advocacy for any child struggling with mental health challenges and for children with Tourette specifically
- Strategies to help children advocate for themselves
- Ways for parents and schools to support self-advocacy
- Insights from teens thriving with Tourette Syndrome and other challenges
William W. Benson, PsyD
Director of Tourette’s and Trichotillomania Services, training coordinator, psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at Child Mind Institute
Dr. Benson has extensive training and experience in evidence-based and cutting-edge assessment and treatment methods for children, adolescents, and adults. He has experience working in a wide variety of settings, including outpatient, emergency department, inpatient, medical, and community mental health. Dr. Benson has extensive experience working with parents and schools to ensure learning environments are structured to set children up for success. He believes strongly that effective mental health treatment for children and adolescents requires a team approach, with therapist, parents/caregivers, school, and child working together.
Adam Stone
2020 TAA Youth Ambassador
Adam is a high school Junior living in Charlotte, NC. He’s had motor and vocal tics since he was three years old, and the summer before he started 5th grade was when he was formally diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. After his diagnosis, Adam’s parents found the TAA, which informed them about a Center of Excellence in Columbia, SC. Here, he had the opportunity to do Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), which he found very helpful. He became a TAA Youth Ambassador in 2020 and gained the skills to advocate for himself and others. In addition to advocating for the Tourette community for the past five years on Capitol Hill, Adam has spread awareness by speaking at many schools. His passions include musical theater, speech and debate, engineering and computer science, and advocacy.
Lilly Halperin
2023 TAA Youth Ambassador
Lilly is a high school Junior from the Bronx, NY. She trained as a TAA Youth Ambassador in 2023 and has twice attended advocacy day on Capitol Hill. Lilly is a very passionate Tourette and disability advocate and works to educate others and make spaces more accessible. Lilly is a co-founder of her high school’s disability club, which serves as a space for disability education, discussion, and advocacy. Outside of her advocacy work, Lilly loves creating art, solving word puzzles, and collecting rubber ducks.
