Audience: Teens, ages 13-17
Description: This powerful summit is dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive environments for teens (ages 13-17) living with Tourette Syndrome, other Tic Disorders, and co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety. Whether you’ve been a target of bullying, a bystander, or someone ready to take action and make a difference, this event is your place to learn, grow, and lead.
Participants will gain tools to stand up to bullying, understand their rights, and build personal advocacy skills. We’ll break down how to hold bullies accountable, equip allies with practical ways to intervene, and give teens strategies for resilience and self-care. Through workshops, speakers, and teen-led discussions, we’ll foster a movement where no one feels alone—and every student feels safe.
Because real change starts with us. And together we ARE stronger.
Agenda
11:00-11:30 am ET: Keynote
Presented by: Judy French of PACER and Youth Ambassadors Elliana Gordon, Miguel Espinosa, and Rylan Arias
11:30 am-12:00 pm ET: United States of Teen Summit Icebreaker
Led by TAA Rising Leaders
Join us for fun icebreakers and a quick look at where Teen Summit attendees are coming from across the country — let’s connect and celebrate our coast-to-coast community!
12:00-1:00 pm ET: Standing Strong: Bullying, Advocacy, and Self-Esteem for Teens with Tourette
Presented by: Dr. Mark Pashtinok and Dr. Jennifer Stenger
This one-hour interactive session (no PowerPoints—just real talk!) will explore real-life experiences with bullying, how to advocate for yourself, and how to stay true to who you are. Together, we’ll talk about why bullying happens and how to respond in healthy ways; how to speak up and educate others about TS; who you can turn to for support—at school and beyond; and how your self-esteem and identity can stay strong through challenges. You’ll also get the chance to share your thoughts, ask questions, and assist in creating a TAA presentation for schools to help others understand TS. Let’s create a space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
1:00-1:15 pm ET: Stronger Connections
Led by TAA Rising Leaders
Let’s keep the momentum going by getting to know each other even better. Join us in breakout rooms—share at your own comfort level and connect in a way that feels right for you.
1:15-2:15 pm ET: Into the Danger Zone: Understanding Bullying’s Toll and Finding Ways to COPE
Presented by: Dr. Kenneth Phelps
This session will explore ways to COPE, including how bullying affects mental health and what teens can do to protect themselves and support others. Using the DANGER acronym, the talk highlights the emotional impact of bullying—including depression, anxiety, negative self-image, grief and loss, emotional dysregulation, and risk behaviors. It then shifts to the COPE framework, offering practical strategies: connecting with support, owning your strengths, planning ahead and practicing assertiveness, and expressing emotions constructively. This talk is designed to empower teens with insight, tools, and hope for navigating difficult social situations.
2:15-2:30 pm ET: Stronger with Every Word – Rising Leader Panel Discussion
Wrap up the day by hearing from our Rising Leaders about their personal experiences with bullying and get the chance to ask them your own questions. It’s a powerful opportunity to reflect, connect, and leave Teen Summit feeling even stronger and more supported.
Presenters
Judy French
Bio
Judy French staffs the Los Angeles office of the National Bullying Prevention Center, where she coordinates outreach and gives presentations, webinars, and workshops to schools, health organizations, and other community groups. Her speaking engagements have reached approximately 30,000 students, parents, educators, & community leaders throughout Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange counties, and beyond. She has facilitated and presented workshops for many years throughout the country on communications skills, conflict resolution, relationship building, leadership, and self-advocacy.
Judy is available to speak with organizations and educators about bullying prevention and the resources available through PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Contact her at Judy.French@PACER.org.
Dr. Mark Patishnock
Bio
Dr. Patishnock is JED’s Vice President of School Programs Implementation. In his role, he implements and ensures consistency and excellence in all of JED’s programs in higher education, high school, and pre-K–12 school districts. Dr. Patishnock has spent his career focused on improving mental health outcomes for youth and young adults.
Dr. Patishnock trained at the counseling centers at Penn State and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; worked as a staff psychologist and suicide prevention coordinator at Virginia Tech; and oversaw counseling and psychiatric services as the inaugural director at both Augusta University and Michigan State University, where he helped integrate and innovate programs and services following institutional and departmental mergers. He also implemented the JED Campus program at both of these institutions. Dr. Patishnock received his master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University and a PhD in counseling psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed psychologist and resides in Michigan with his family.
Dr. Jen Stenger
Bio
Dr. Stenger has been an educator for over 15 years. She received her undergraduate degree in English from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2000, as well as her first graduate degree, an MA in English—British and American Literature, in 2005. She received an MA in School Counseling from Lindenwood University in 2007. In 2011, she received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University Missouri-St. Louis. She was a high school English teacher for 13 years, and has been a school counselor for five years. Stenger is a member of the Tourette Association’s Education Advisory Board; she also teaches courses at Lindenwood University-Belleville campus and is a member of the American Federation of Teachers Women’s Rights Committee. Since publishing The Life That Chose Us: Educators with Tourette Syndrome in 2013, she has presented at numerous conferences and speaking engagements. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, boating and water skiing, and CrossFit.
Dr. Kenneth Phelps
Bio
Kenneth W. Phelps, PhD, is a Professor of Clinical Neuropsychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Clinical Pediatrics within the Division of Neurology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Phelps has been practicing in South Carolina since 2010. Before this academic appointment, Dr. Phelps completed a doctoral degree in Medical Family Therapy at East Carolina University and an internship at Dartmouth. Dr. Phelps teaches in the general and child/adolescent psychiatry residency programs at Prisma Health, overseeing the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy curriculum. He is active within the
Tourette Association of America, regularly presenting at the Rising Leader Program and supervising for the Behavioral Therapy Institute (BTI) where learners from across the globe receive training in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).
TAA Rising Leader Presenters
Lorenzo Tiozzo Caenazzo
Bio
Lorenzo is originally from Venice, Italy, and recently graduated form the University of Florida with a degree in media product, management, and technology.He has lived with TS for most of his life, and over the years, it’s become not just something he manages, but something that’s helped shape his creativity, resilience, and voice. AS someone passionate about media, music, and storytelling, Lorenzo has used creative outlets like video production and songwriting to express himself and process his experiences with TS. Sharing his story and connecting with others in the TS community has become incredibly important to him and he’s honored to be part of this year’s Teen Summit!
Emauni Crawley
Bio
Emauni Crawley is a recent graduate from Spelman College, where she pursued a major in Sociology with concentrations, Criminal Justice and Criminology. With hands-on experience in youth advocacy, special education, and administrative support, she has worked closely with individuals facing behavioral and developmental challenges, particularly through her impactful role at Ramapo for Children. Emauni is also an accomplished leader and community advocate, having served as a WISDOM Scholar at Spelman’s Sisters Chapel and currently as a TAA Rising Leader , where she fosters awareness and promotes inclusivity for individuals with Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders. She brings a blend of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a deep commitment to social justice into every role she takes on.
Victoria Johnson-Fields
Bio
Victoria is 23-years-old and has TS. She was born and raised in Alaska and was officially diagnosed with TS at the age of 16. She had to travel to get a diagnosis due to there being no doctors in her area.
After graduating high school (a year early!) Victoria moved to Tennessee to begin college, and it’s there that she saw a neurologist for the first time. Initially, she was diagnosed with a chronic motor/vocal Tic Disorder, then eventually Tourette Syndrome, Autism, and Epilepsy. Victoria went on to earn her CMA degree and graduate from college with honors. A moment she’ll never forget is when she was presented with the ‘Overcoming All Odds’ award, acknowledging her hard work in school.
Victoria wants to do more for her community and will return to University to double major in nursing and social work this August. Her hope is to work in pediatric neurology and help kids and families like her own.
Victoria says, “I may have Tourette Syndrome, but the condition no longer controls my life, it’s just a fun little companion I bring around everywhere!”
Kaitlyn Mitchell
Bio
Kaitlyn Mitchell is a student at the University of Utah, Studying art education. Her Journey with Tourette Syndrome has fueled her passion for creativity and to see all who have the desire achieve their dreams. Kaitlyn is a new participant with the TAA’s Rising Leader program this year. As a Rising Leader, she is diligently working on her goals of helping develop TS community connections and advocate for greater awareness. Kaitlyn strives to be actively involved in volunteer work where she can, including her local community’s city youth Court. For the past 6 years she has served in various in various positions, both as a Youth and now as an advisor. She has been recognized for her service with multiple Presidential student service awards and on September 10th, 2024 she received the honor of being the recipient of the Daily Point of Light Award. Kaitlyn is committed to empowering others to embrace their uniqueness and encouraging them to find their success through their own talents and resources available to them.
Eli O'Dell
Bio
Eli is the founder of Talk about Tics and trained as both a TAA Youth Ambassador and Risin Leader. Passionate about advocacy, Eli is actively involved in promoting the inclusion of disabled individuals in STEM fields.
Savannah Reinhardt
Bio
Savannah is currently a senior at Grand Valley State University majoring in psychology. Since being officially diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in 2023, at age 20, she has been actively involved in the TS community. Savannah was trained as a TAA Rising Leader in 2025 and met with Michigan lawmakers on Tourette National Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. She enjoys sharing her story to increase awareness and promote earlier, more accessible diagnosis. Outside of academics and advocacy, Savannah enjoys knitting, weightlifting, and beachcombing along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Maya Rao
Bio
Maya Rao is a student at the University of Maryland at College Park. She currently works with preschool and elementary school aged children while studying Special Education. Maya has been advocating for Tourette Syndrome since she was diagnosed in middle school and has enjoyed getting to share her story in the hopes of helping others. She is active in the TAA as a Rising Leader, and the Social-Media Chair for TAAMAC. Maya Rao enjoys reading, writing poetry, playing the violin, and spending time with her family and cats.
TAA Youth Ambassador Presenters
Rylan Arias
Bio
Rylan is 16 and was born and raised in in Hilo, Hawai’i. He will be a junior in high school this upcoming year. Rylan enjoys swimming, theater, and hanging out with friends. He is also a TAA Youth Ambassador.
Miguel Espinosa
Elliana Gordon
Bio
Elliana recently finished her freshman year of high school in Oregon, where she played varsity volleyball and served as her class representative on Student Council. She has been educating others about TS and its co-occurring conditions since her diagnosis in 2018, presenting to her classmates, school staff, other students in Oregon, and teacher preparation programs at Western Oregon University. Elliana became a TAA Youth Ambassador at the age of 12 and presented at the 2022 Congressional Tourette Syndrome Caucus Briefing in Washington, D.C. She volunteers at her local church as a teaching assistant and participates in horse therapy. She’s also training her dog Penny to be her service animal! Elliana has a strong sense of justice and is an excellent advocate for others who may not have the ability to speak up for themselves. As a neurodivergent individual with lived experience of bullying, she is especially passionate about promoting inclusive, safe, and supportive environments for all.
