Require Public Schools to Teach Accurate Tourette’s Awareness
The issue
Most people associate "Tourette Syndrome" with "rare", though this couldn't be further from the truth. A staggering 1 in 200 adults have Tourette's, and even more shocking, 1 in 100 school-aged children experience tics. Despite this, individuals with Tourette syndrome, like myself, are alienated and othered far more than we are accepted and embraced.
When you think of someone with Tourette syndrome, you probably imagine constant swearing, yelling, and flailing about – because that's all the media has taught you to believe Tourette's is. The truth is, for every single person with tics or Tourette's, our tics change constantly. The severity of symptoms can change day-to-day, and even hour-to-hour, meaning that what you see one day is not the full story.
Because the general public is so misinformed when it comes to individuals with Tourette's, witnessing a waxing (worsening) or waning (improved) period in someone's tics can lead to accusations of faking, exaggerating, and attention-seeking.
Every single person with Tourette's that I've spoken to has faced some level of discrimination.
All of this misunderstanding leads school-aged children with tics to deal with judgement, confusion, and shame over something that they cannot control. This is all avoidable. The lack of basic education and understanding around Tourette syndrome fosters an environment where disabled children are misunderstood and unsupported in what is supposed to be a safe and nurturing space.
I am calling on public school leaders to require accurate Tourette’s awareness education for students, teachers, counsellors, and staff. That education should clearly explain what Tourette syndrome is, what tics are, and characteristics of Tourette's – such as the waxing and waning in severity. Schools and their students do not need more myths or assumptions. They need clear, disability-informed guidance so students with Tourette’s are treated with dignity and understanding.
If you believe students with Tourette’s deserve to learn in schools that understand them, please sign this petition. Let’s make sure basic awareness is not optional, and that no student is punished or dismissed because adults never learned the facts.
211
The issue
Most people associate "Tourette Syndrome" with "rare", though this couldn't be further from the truth. A staggering 1 in 200 adults have Tourette's, and even more shocking, 1 in 100 school-aged children experience tics. Despite this, individuals with Tourette syndrome, like myself, are alienated and othered far more than we are accepted and embraced.
When you think of someone with Tourette syndrome, you probably imagine constant swearing, yelling, and flailing about – because that's all the media has taught you to believe Tourette's is. The truth is, for every single person with tics or Tourette's, our tics change constantly. The severity of symptoms can change day-to-day, and even hour-to-hour, meaning that what you see one day is not the full story.
Because the general public is so misinformed when it comes to individuals with Tourette's, witnessing a waxing (worsening) or waning (improved) period in someone's tics can lead to accusations of faking, exaggerating, and attention-seeking.
Every single person with Tourette's that I've spoken to has faced some level of discrimination.
All of this misunderstanding leads school-aged children with tics to deal with judgement, confusion, and shame over something that they cannot control. This is all avoidable. The lack of basic education and understanding around Tourette syndrome fosters an environment where disabled children are misunderstood and unsupported in what is supposed to be a safe and nurturing space.
I am calling on public school leaders to require accurate Tourette’s awareness education for students, teachers, counsellors, and staff. That education should clearly explain what Tourette syndrome is, what tics are, and characteristics of Tourette's – such as the waxing and waning in severity. Schools and their students do not need more myths or assumptions. They need clear, disability-informed guidance so students with Tourette’s are treated with dignity and understanding.
If you believe students with Tourette’s deserve to learn in schools that understand them, please sign this petition. Let’s make sure basic awareness is not optional, and that no student is punished or dismissed because adults never learned the facts.
The Decision Makers
Supporter voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 7 October 2026