1Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2014, as "Tourette Syndrome
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, An estimated 3 in every 1,000 children between 6 and
417 years of age in the United States and this Commonwealth are
5diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a neurobiological, genetic
6condition which has no cure; and

7WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong developmental
8disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age
9and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;
10and

11WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are affected by
12tics which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
13vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and

14WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face periodic
15changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
16symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and

17WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome frequently have
18co-occurring conditions that further complicate their care and

1diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention
2deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
3mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,
4executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and

5WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are frequently
6misunderstood by their families, educators, the community and
7even by medical professionals due to their ever-changing
8symptoms, which at times seem controllable; and

9WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome has historically been
10misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
11disturbance instead of chemical biology; and

12WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often teased
13and not accepted by their peers and the general public; and

14WHEREAS, Children with Tourette Syndrome are often
15disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators
16who fail to understand that the child is unable to control his
17or her tics and that the child may be delayed in his or her
18maturity and emotional responses; and

19WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face
20discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,
21coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their
22unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and

23WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often very
24intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
25given the proper support; and

26WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
27Disabilities Act (ADA) to disregard disability in hiring or
28promotions and to make accommodations to support their employees
29with Tourette Syndrome so the employees can be successful in the
30workplace and not be forced to file for disability; and

1WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, but many
2employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these
3accommodations for individuals with Tourette Syndrome; and

4WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
5has been established to promote awareness and provide support
6and advocacy for individuals with Tourette Syndrome in this
7Commonwealth; and

8WHEREAS, Understanding this disorder will help guarantee hope
9for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
10Syndrome; therefore be it

11RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
12needs of these individuals with neurological impairment and
13recognize May 15 through June 15, 2014, as "Tourette Syndrome
14Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to
15support the need for Tourette Syndrome awareness and education
16in order to assist those individuals and families who deal with
17this neurobiological disorder every day of their lives.