Welcome to the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia Inc.
TSAA was established in 1989 and is the only organisation in Australia committed to supporting people effected by Tourette Syndrome.
TSAA is a volunteer, self funded registered charity. After 27 years of campaigning and spreading awareness most people in the community have now heard the term Tourettes—but few have a true understanding of what it means
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY https://tourette.org.au/about-tsaa/membership/
We welcome your feedback to improve our service to you. Simply email to info@tourette.org.au. We look forward to hearing from you.
EMPATHY INCLUSIVITY ACCEPTANCE EDUCATION
TSAA’s main goal is to improve the quality of life of those affected by Tourette Syndrome. Our logo has been designed to replicate movement and speech, representing the tics associated with TS and as a voice for those effected by the condition.
Credit goes to: Robbi Ortloff-Hope, Chelsea-Rose Hoppo, Nora Haynes, Stephen Bryce, Harrison Tomlian and Cherise Evans, and also to their facilitator James Calvert.
Tourette Syndrome, (TS), is a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary, irresistible body movements and vocalizations.
It is complex and individual in its effect. See What is Tourette Syndrome?
People with TS seek understanding and acceptance. TSAA is designed to educate and inform those wishing to know more about this complex disorder.
An Introduction to life with Tourettes
The above video was created in 2008 by TSAA for our awareness campaign. As TS is 3 to 4 times more common in boys than girls and usually diagnosed around age 8 or 9, we focused on an 8 year old boy to tell the story. We chose to portray a mild to 'average' case to counter balance the more severe cases normally shown in the media. TS is a spectrum disorder making it important to represent the full range of cases. TS symptoms vary from mere aggravation to severe debilitation.
TS was first described in 1825 by French physician Itard in relation to a French noble woman Marquise de Dampierre, who exhibited strange body movements and peculiar vocalisations and obscene remarks from the age of seven.
In 1885 George Gilles de la Tourette began research into Tourette Syndrome being the first to connect multiple, complex and varied symptoms forming a syndrome. Dr Tourette named the syndrome 'Maladie des Tics' which was later named in recognition of his discovery, and called 'Gilles de la Tourette' — so we have known about it for a long time, however even today it still remains misunderstood by many. Appropriate medical care can help control symptoms, while understanding and acceptance can accomplish even more.
2022 TSAA Camps Schedule
VICTORIA: Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March 2022 - Phillip Island Resort
Bookings Open - Register today https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=854527&
NEW SOUTH WALES: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 May 2022 - Sydney Academy of Sport
Bookings Open - Register today https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=866178&
QUEENSLAND: Friday 25 - Sunday 27 March 2022 - Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre
Bookings Open - Register today https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=854542&
NORTHERN TERRITORY:
Bookings Open - Travel subsidies available for members to travel to Queensland camp in March 2022. Please contact info@tourette.org.au for more information.
TASMANIA: Friday 11- 13th November 2022 - Hobart
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: To be advised - Adelaide
Bookings Not Open. TSAA Members will be informed via email when dates are confirmed.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: To be advised - Perth
Bookings Not Open. TSAA Members will be informed via email when dates are confirmed.
National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - 2-8 May 2022
Do you have a TS story you'd like to share about TS in the education system? Contact admin@tourette.org.au to be part of this year's TS awareness week campaign
TS and COVID-19
Pandem
ic panic causes strife for those living with Tourette Syndrome
- Australians living with Tourette Syndrome experiencing exacerbated symptoms in self-isolation
- Around 85% of patients with Tourette Syndrome experience concurrent conditions such as OCD, ADHD, anxiety or depression
- Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) is urging the public to be understanding and is offering support and advice for children and families in the form of a Pandemic Panic Pack
Download resources and latest research paper on COVID-19 and TS:
TSAA featured on 'The Project' Channel Ten
Off the back of the enormous response The Project are assisting TSAA in fundraising for the national camp program with the hope of making it free for all attendees next year.
In late September 2020, The Project TV show attended our QLD camp and got to meet some of the amazing kids and parents that belong to the TSAA community. After the story went to air producers were inundated with messages of support and offers of assistance for the families they profiled.
Watch the story here:
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neuro developmental disorder characterised by repetitive involuntary movements (motor tics) and sounds (vocal or phonic tics). The condition affects 1 in 100 Australian kids and with no cure there is little respite out there for children and their families.
Tourette's Camp was established in 2013 by Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) and offers children and their families a chance to meet people like them, feel comfortable to be themselves and provide an enriched weekend of activities and fun.
Cost per national program is *$120,000 per annum:
$276 per attendee
$1100 for a family of four
$30,000 each year to cover camp attendee's expenses (nationally)
$60,000 each year to cover both camp attendee's and TSAA subsidised costs and expenses (nationally)
Any amount is welcome and will help enormously!
*TSAA would like to acknowledge and thank the Federal Health Department, and Hon Greg Hunt MP Minister for Health for funding the remaining 50% of costs for our National Camp Program from 2018-2022.
TSAA was established in 1989 and is run by volunteers — on behalf of our community we thank you for your heartfelt support to both our story and our camp program.
#TAC'TICS - National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - 2019
Click the tile below to view TSAA's TAC'TICS Program
View to hear the story of TAC'TICS:
Employabl
e Me, series 2, ABC iview
The award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary series Employable Me returns on Tuesday 9 April at 8.30pm, ABC & ABC iview, and follows the stories of nine more people with disabilities as they battle to find work. As well as neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and Tourette Syndrome, this second series features people with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and Down Syndrome as they search for meaningful employment..
You can visit the Employable Me website here.
Announcement of National Camp Program Funding 2018 & 2019
TSAA is pleased to announce receipt of funding for our 2018 and 2019 national camp program from the Hon Greg Hunt Minister for Health. This is the first federal funding TSAA has received so is very momentous. Thank you to Health Minister Greg Hunt MP, Chris Crewther MP member for Dunkley and all our supporters through the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Tourette Syndrome.
You can watch an announcement of the video here.
Tourettes camp on the ABC 7.30 Report
View the ABC 7:30 report on TSAA's 2018 Camp program here.
#EatSleepTicRepeat - National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - 2018
Aja on The Voice Channel Nine
Season 7 episode 7:
https://www.9now.com.au/the-voice/season-7/episode-7
View Aja's Bio & Audition with surprise guest Adam Ladell:
Daily Mail Article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5655581/Delta-Goodrem-hugs-Aja-Elshaikh-Voice.html
Parliament House TS Morning Tea
October 23, 2017.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group for Tourette Syndrome meeting was well attended by Federal Ministers, MP's and Parliament House staff members. A large number of children and adults touched by Tourette Syndrome (TS) and their families were present. It was a successful morning tea, highlighted by a conversation between the Hon Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Sport and ACT primary student Marc Milne (10). Marc's presentation was impactful and demonstrated how much TS affects the quality of his life. He shared how much he would like people to understand his condition. Greg Hunt was impressed by Marc's short TS movie he made at school. After the morning tea, Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia President Robyn Latimer and Marketing Director Rosita Sunna had the opportunity to meet with the Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, the Adviser to the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and the Assistant Adviser to Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training.
Download the full press release here.
Adam Ladell announced as TSAA Ambassador and Chris Crewther MP announced as TSAA Patron.
Adam spoke at our National Conference in Canberra 13th May 2017 . Chris Crewther MP announced as first ever Patron for Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia
Following The Parliamentary Friendship Group of Tourette Syndrome launched in the House of Representatives, Canberra on 9 November 2016 with MP Chris Crewther and Senator Skye Kakomschke-Moore, Chris Crewther MP has been endorsed by the executive committee to be a Patron for TSAA. After 27 years of action for Tourettes this is a very historic moment to be recognised in national parliament. We look forward to working together with Chris, who has Tourette Syndrome and therefore a personal interest in our success and future.
Above: Dr Mike Freelander MP, Robyn Latimer President TSAA, Luke Gosling OAM MP, Senator Skye Kakomschke-Moore, Chris Crewther MP, Adam Ladell, and Jason Wood MP.
We are seeking support for our Camp Fundraiser
Help us raise $30,000. Why? To continue our annual camp for families all over Australia to meet others just like them.
TSAA has just run it’s 4th annual camp—we need to raise $30,000 to ensure we can book again for next year. We only need 1000 x $30 —we can do this with your help.
#whatsyourtactic - National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - 2016
Download TSAA's 2016 Awareness Week Press Release to share our message.
Our “Every Brain Tics Differently” campaign consists of a kit for educators. The positive words—PARTICIPATE, STATISTICS, TACTICS, ECLECTIC, REALISTIC AND ARTICULATE, playfully provide direction for families and educators to better understand and proactively support TS.
Download TSAA's FREE Every Brain Tics Differently Kit NOW!
#I’m Just Like You CAMPaign - National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - 2015
To give an inside view, TSAA created a 3 minute video with children and families affected by TS while attending a previous annual camp. The input of the children themselves determined the content—from their perspective and personal experiences.
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