Each year TSAA holds a National Awareness Week in the first week of May. In the lead up to Awareness week we encourage everyone to do one thing to help spread the message. Ideas are:
- Call your local radio station and newspaper to make a notice
- Share our social media files
- Put our flyer in the school newsletter
- Put up a flyer at your local medical centre, school notice board or library
- Deliver TSAA brochures to doctors and allied health professionals in your community
- Hold a mufti awareness day at your school. Download the flyer for this here.
- Donate a book on TS to your local or school library. Some good suggestions are: "TS The Facts" for senior schools, "Tic Talk" for junior schools — available here
- Hold a BBQ at your local hardware store or similar location to raise funds (and awareness) for TSAA
- Do a talk on TS at your local community group (Rotary, Lions Club, Probus etc).
Contact our office here for assistance with brochures, posters or flyers. Awareness week is intended to make us stop, think and understand more about Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week 4-10 May 2020
Pandemic 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:
The neurological disorder Tourette Syndrome presents as motor and vocal tics. In the current environment, those with involuntary coughing, sniffing or throat clearing tics are causing adverse reactions from the public who mistake tics for sickness, highlighting the need for a greater understanding around the complexities of the disorder.
With 85% of those with Tourette Syndrome also experiencing concurrent conditions such as OCD, ADHD, anxiety or depression, the severity of these conditions is worsening amidst the pandemic. A new analysis on the impact of COVID-19 on those with Tourette Syndrome, has revealed that these ‘invisible’ conditions are triggered by the panic surrounding the pandemic, loss of routine and inability to release physical energy.
Those with Tourette Syndrome in self-isolation are struggling with increased anxiousness and obsessive behaviours as well as extreme phobias of catching coronavirus. With as many as 70% of Australians with Tourette Syndrome also dealing with ADHD, confinement is intensifying symptoms and putting a strain on families.
To coincide with Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week (4th-10th May), the TSAA are promoting a Pandemic Panic Pack to support families and adults through this unprecedented time along with resources to generate understanding and educate Australians on how the pandemic is affecting those with TS.
TSAA Rebrand Project
From May this year you may notice we are looking a little different — TSAA is rolling out its new branding. We are very thankful to the design students at Torrens University Australia for working with TSAA as a live industry brief project.
As awareness week commences 4-10 May 2020, the new designs are being rolled out across our various media platforms. TSAA has used the same logo since 1989 and felt it was time for change for good — representation of movement was key to the brief with the final logo design landing beautifully with the simple yet effective ‘action’ marks that represent both motor and phonic movement — the two criteria required for a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome.
TSAA would like to thank the 6 students involved and their Facilitator at Torrens University Australia, for their commitment to TSAA.
BRAND VALUES & LOGO: EMPATHY, INCLUSIVITY, ACCEPTANCE, EDUCATION
TSAA’s main goal is to improve the quality of life of those affected by Tourette Syndrome. We used this key message and core values (above) as the direction and voice of TSAA’s brand. Creating a versatile and inclusive branding experience.
This 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.
The typographic logo voices professionalism and maintains the integrity of the TSAA brand; keeping the focus on the core values.
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 Awareness Week 6-12 May 2019
Visit the TAC'TICS Campaign page here
New research reveals that one in four Australians have never heard of Tourette Syndrome and just 15% of parents have taught their children about the condition.
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that affects 45,000 children in Australia.
One in two believe that Tourette Syndrome affects a child’s ability to learn and perform well in school.
To mark their 30 Anniversary, Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia has launched a new app for schools to help break the stigma of Tourette Syndrome
Two-thirds of Australians (64%) believe more needs to be done to educate children in schools about Tourette Syndrome, as new research reveals one in four (23%) have never heard of the condition.
The research commissioned by the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) reveals the obstacles those with Tourette Syndrome are confronted with daily, with a staggering three-quarters (73%) of Australians expecting them to be bullied for being different.
Tourette Syndrome is a commonly misunderstood neurological condition that is often attributed to behavioural or emotional issues. It affects approximately 45,000 children in Australia and results in involuntary muscle movements and vocalisations.
As just 15% of parents have taught their children about the condition, it highlights the requirement for further education on Tourette Syndrome. Due to the lack of education, some of the most common misconceptions include that tics are simply nervous habits (57%), Tourette Syndrome affects a child’s ability to learn in school (53%) and the condition is simply shouting obscenities (23%). While Tourette Syndrome does impact access to learning, it does not affect intelligence.
During Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week (6 - 12 May) and to mark the their 30 Anniversary, TSAA has launched a new interactive app called TAC’TICS. The application actively encourages education during school team activities. With no cure for Tourette Syndrome understanding and breaking the stigma are vital.
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument
SOCIAL MEDIA TILE SERIES FOR DOWNLOAD
Download files here. 
Thank you to Torrens University of Australia, Billy Blue College of Design for supporting TSAA's campaign and students Andy Lee and Ruby Trennery for the design of TAC'TICS.
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week 6-12 May 2018
Download the full campaign package here.
Download the TSAA Awareness Week press release 2018
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cure. Awareness, understanding and acceptance are our key strategies to improve the quality of life for those with TS. TSAA is the only organisation in Australia committed to supporting people affected by Tourette Syndrome. TSAA is a volunteer-run, self-funded registered charity. After 29 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 and how they can help someone with Tourette Syndrome manage their condition.
EAT SLEEP TIC REPEAT CAMPAIGN
A series of thought provoking posters and social media tiles create an empathetic, eye-catching campaign. We want to delve into the issues of what people with TS face on a daily basis and what their ‘normal’ is. By presenting daily routine activities aligned with symptoms of TS and subsquent behaviours of others with the cyclic metaphor – eat, sleep, tic, repeat – the relentless nature of living with Tourettes is portrayed. Powerful images with different words describing tics help people understand what a normal daily routine is. At the same time, knowledge of the extensive variety and individuality of tics is increased through blank versions to fill in with one’s own symptoms. We aim to break the stigma of TS and illustrate how tedious the cycle of the condition can be on a regular basis. Breaking the stigma will lower the side effects that are associated with TS such as stress, anxiety and depression. This campaign is aimed at: • Families, to gain greater insight of what it is like for their parent, child or sibling to have TS. • Friends, to gain a deeper understanding to help their friend feel more accepted. • The General Public, to break the stigma when people become educated on the condition. • Educators, to share with the school principal, teacher, and include in the school newsletter. • General Practitioners, to be used in the waiting room and by GP’s to keep on hand to assist future patients. • Community Groups, to be placed in local libraries and community centres. Gaining even a basic understanding of TS will decrease the likelihood of making dismissive comments about it, joking about it, or making comments that are likely to damage perceptions of TS.
POSTER SERIES FOR DOWNLOAD
Posters with various tics, symptoms or side effects of TS emphasise the unique, changeable and extensive range of symptoms. Click on each poster to download, print and use in your community. The posters with blank spaces are for you to add your individual tics or topic to share your personal story of life with Tourettes.
Click on each poster to download or hover over them to reveal share options.
SOCIAL MEDIA TILES FOR DOWNLOAD
Social media tiles with repetitive lists of symptoms to share and repost to create an extensive and comprehensive list of the individual cases of TS throughout Australia. By sharing the enormous range of symptoms, stigma and misinformation will be broken down, generating greater understanding, empathy and acceptance of TS Share your tics and topics about TS and invite others to continue the dialogue.
Download the set here or share the individual tiles below—hover over them to reveal share options.
Download the full campaign package here. Order your Campaign T-Shirts & Cap here *There are 9 Shirt designs to choose from 
The 2018 awareness campaign was designed by students at Billy Blue Design School: Stephanie Whitehouse and Jessica Lenton. TSAA would like to thank Steph and Jess for their creative output and input for social good!
2017 Awareness week—7-13 May
Take 5 For Tourette Syndrome
Download TSAA's FREE Take 5 For Tourette Syndrome Poster Kit NOW! Download TSAA's Social media Kit Take 5 For Tourette Syndrome Social Media Tile Download TSAA's 2017 Press Release to share our message. Awareness week is intended to make us stop, think and understand more about Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cure. Awareness, understanding and acceptance are our key strategies to improve the quality of life for those with TS. TSAA 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 and how they can help someone with TS manage their condition.
2016 Campaign—Every Brain Tics Differently
Download TSAA's FREE Every Brain Tics Differently Kit NOW! Download TSAA's 2016 Press Release to share our message. Awareness week is intended to make us stop, think and understand more about Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cure. Awareness, understanding and acceptance are our key strategies to improve the quality of life for those with TS. TSAA 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 and how they can help someone with TS manage their condition.
#whatsyourtactic
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. The PACKAGE INCLUDES ✔ 4 x A3 Posters ✔ 1 x A4 Infographic Sheet for students ✔ Tactics Checklist for student use ✔ Social Media Tile suitable for Instagram or Facebook When sharing, use # (handlers) to cross/align messaging with relevant topics: #whatsyourtactic #tsaa #tourettesyndrome Download TSAA's FREE Every brain Tics Differently Kit NOW! Download TSAA's 2016 Press Release to share our message. Thank you to Mediacast for their pro-bono additional support to top up our campaign. 
2016 Campaign—#I’m Just Like You
To give an inside view, TSAA created a 3 minute video with children and families affected by TS while attending an annual camp. The input of the children themselves determined the content—from their perspective and personal experiences.
The challenge is simple
✔ Watch the video ✔ Post the video ✔ Change your status on FaceBook or other to a (tic) ✔ ✔ Nominate 10 people to change their status When sharing the video, use # (handlers) to cross/align messaging with relevant topics expressed in the video: #imjustlikeyou #withtics #tsaa #tourettesyndrome
TSAA 2015 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FLYER for FREE download2015 Awareness Week Information Sheet
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cure. Awareness, understanding and acceptance are our key strategies to improve the quality of life for those with TS. TSAA is the only organisation in Australia comitted to supporting people effected by Tourette Syndrome. TSAA is a volunteer, self funded registered charity. After 26 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.
Help us shine the light on the facts
In 2015 most people have heard of Tourettes however few have an accurate understanding of what it is. Below are 5 facts to get you started. #1: Tourettes is NOT bad behaviour, or swearing, or ‘put on’— it is neurological #2: Tourettes is NOT rare—A little known fact is TS affects 1% of the childhood population #3: Tourettes is NOT just tics, over 80% also have comorbid conditions #4: Tourettes does NOT affect intelligence—we are as smart as the other 99% of the population #5: Tourettes is NOT catching it is genetic—we have done nothing wrong to have TS
Ooyala Australia Team is excited to support Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) in providing video highlights of the 2015 camp online, so they can be shared with other kids and family. We are thrilled that our technology and team’s skill have been used to support a great cause.
TSAA was awarded a $10,000 grant to run its 2015 camp from the CBA's Staff Community Grant. This enabled 100 people affected by Tourette Syndrome to attend free making it accessible to everyone.
2008 Community Service Announcement Campaign
http://tourette.org.au/media-news/community-service-announcements/
