Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month - Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is observed to raise awareness about Tourette’s syndrome. Let's find out more.

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month 2024 – May 2024

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is observed every year from May 15 to June 15. The movement strives to raise awareness of the condition and to share triumphs to inspire the Tourette’s community and beyond. The difficulties that arise as a result of the illness can be physically and mentally debilitating. Involuntary twitches, movement, and sounds are all examples of Tourette’s tics. Participate in numerous ways to make a lasting effect on a global scale and help make a difference together.

History of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month

Tourette’s syndrome is an inherited neurological illness characterized by many physical tics and at least one phonic tic that manifests in infancy or adolescence. Jean-Martin Charcot was awarded the term on behalf of his intern, Georges Albert Édouard Brutus Gilles de la Tourette, a French physician and neurologist who published a report on nine patients with Tourette’s in 1885. When an encephalitis outbreak from 1918 to 1926 resulted in a subsequent epidemic of tic disorders, the hypothesis that Tourette’s syndrome had an organic genesis was proposed. Tourette’s was first identified as a neurological illness in 1972, but since the 1990s, a more neutral perspective of the disorder has emerged — in which biological vulnerability and bad environmental experiences combine.The U.S. National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) rejected the T.SA’s funding proposal in 1972 because the N.I.H. believed there were only 100 cases in the entire country — according to a 1973 registry. According to stories in “Good Housekeeping on Tourette’s Syndrome,” there were numerous undetected cases of Tourette’s across the United States.The United States Orphan Drug Act of 1983 recognized Tourette’s as a rare condition. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved pimozide for the treatment of the illness in 1985. Since 2000, multiple studies have repeatedly shown that the prevalence of Tourettes and tic disorders is substantially higher than previously thought.

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month timeline

1825
The First Description of Tourette’s

A French physician named Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard describes the first instance of Tourette’s syndrome.

1885
‘Study of Nervous Affliction’

Gilles de la Tourette releases ‘Study of a Nervous Affliction’— a report on nine patients, and concludes that a new clinical category should be formed.

1961
Haloperidol Treatment

Seignot publishes the first account of haloperidol in the treatment of Tourette's.

1980
Inclusion in D.S.M.-III

The third revision of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (D.S.M.-III) includes Tourette’s syndrome for the first time.

1983
Recognized as a Rare Disorder

The United States Orphan Drug Act of 1983, recognizes Tourette’s syndrome as a rare disorder.

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month FAQs

What is the life expectancy for Tourette’s?

Tourette’s syndrome patients have a normal life expectancy.

Can Tourette's go away?

It usually starts during childhood but the tics and other symptoms usually improve after several years and sometimes go away completely. There’s no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Can you get Tourette’s at any age?

The first signs of Tourette’s syndrome usually occur in children between the ages of seven and 10, but they can begin as early as two years or as late as 18. Tics that begin after age 18 are not considered symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.

How to Observe Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month

  1. Wear teal colors on Tuesdays

    Teal is the official Tourette's color. Wearing something in this hue, such as a t-shirt, wristband, lapel pins, buttons, or shoes, will not only express support for Tourette's patients, but will help raise funds to improve their lives through sales.

  2. Share on social media

    One of the most potent methods for reaching people in the shortest amount of time is social media. Posting Tourette’s syndrome-related information, articles, photographs, and videos on popular social media platforms can quickly reach millions of people.

  3. Make donations

    Donations go a long way in supporting Tourette's awareness. Thanks to numerous donors and supporters, the Tourette's Association of America has been around for nearly 50 years. Making donations helps with raising awareness, providing treatment alternatives and care, as well as support services.

5 Important Facts About Tourettes

  1. One in 100

    One out of every 100 children has Tourette’s syndrome or a tic problem.

  2. Coprolalia affects 10% of patients

    Only about 10% of people with Tourette’s swear, a condition known as ‘coprolalia.’

  3. Tourette’s patients suffer co-morbid issues

    A.D.D., A.DH.D, O.C.D., anxiety disorders, sensory processing disorder (S.P.D.), and dysgraphia are just a few of the co-morbid problems that people affect Tourette’s sufferers.

  4. Tourette’s tics fluctuate

    Tics wax and wane and can rise and diminish and fluctuate during a person’s lifetime.

  5. Excitement worsens Tourette’s

    Tics are frequently worse when you're stressed or excited.

Why Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is Important

  1. It improves the quality of life

    Tourette's awareness can improve the quality of life of those who suffer from the disorder. It's easier to share experiences and stories that can benefit one another in a community with families of Tourette’s patients and Tourette’s individuals.

  2. It prevents infant misdiagnosis

    A proportion of children are misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness. According to a recent survey conducted by the Tourette Association of America, it takes an average of five years for a child to be diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome.

  3. Stigma alleviation and prevention

    Increasing public awareness about the types and range of tics displayed by people with Tourette’s syndrome can help to alleviate the stigma and misunderstanding they face. It also clears up misconceptions the public may have about Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 May 1 Monday
2024 May 1 Wednesday
2025 May 1 Thursday
2026 May 1 Friday
2027 May 1 Saturday
National Chocolate Parfait Day
Silver Star Service Banner Day
National Loyalty Day
May Day
National Mother Goose Day
School Principals' Day
National Skilled Trades Day
National Infertility Survival Day
New Home Owners Day
Global Love Day
Save The Rhino Day
International Doodle Dog Day
Executive Coaching Day
Beltane
Worthy Wage Day
Frequent Flyer Day
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
National Purebred Dog Day
Couple Appreciation Day
Marshall Islands Constitution Day
National Rotate Your Beer Day
Project Aces Day
National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day
National Mantra Day
National Blessing Day
Philippines Labor Day
Phone in Sick Day
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
National Interpreter Appreciation Day
Great American Grump Out
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day
Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day
Labour and Agriculture Day
International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
Lei Day
CSS Reboot Day
Calan Mai
Gianna Bryant's Birthday
Charli D'Amelio's Birthday
Katya Petrovna Zamolodchikova's Birthday
Paeka's Birthday
Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week
National Teen Self Esteem Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
National Barbecue Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Salad Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
International Civility Awareness Month
Date Your Mate Month
Creative Beginnings Month
National Strawberry Month
Get Caught Reading Month
National Inventors Month
National Mediterranean Diet Month
National Salsa Month
ALS Awareness Month
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Correct Posture Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Foster Care Month
National Pet Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
National Physiotherapy Month
Haitian Heritage Month
International Internal Audit Awareness Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
American Wetlands Month
EDS Awareness Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Maternal Mental Health Month
Women's Health Care Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Asparagus Month
National Vinegar Month
MCS Awareness Month
National Meditation Month
Local and Community History Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Labor History Month
National Recommitment Month
National Walking Month
Latino Books Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Indian Heritage Month
Military Appreciation Month
Building Safety Month
National Heritage Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Syringomyelia Awareness Month
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
Fungal Infection Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis Month
National Preservation Month
Bealtaine Festival
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
Lettuce Month
Heal the Children Month
National Share a Story Month
Pet Sitter Safety Month
Homeschool Awareness Month
Zombie Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Personal History Awareness Month
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
International Drum Month
Deck Safety Month
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Family Wellness Month
Tennis Month
May Measurement Month
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
National Sight Saving Month
Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month
National Show Your Smile Month
National Smile Month
Small Business Month
Lung Health Awareness Month
Chip Your Pet Month
National Duckling Month
Teen CEO Month
Be Kind to Animals Month
Leaders of Tomorrow Month
National Digestive Diseases Awareness Month
Prepare Tomorrow's Parents Month
Older Americans Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
National San Architect Month
National Prom Graduation Safety Month
REACT Month
Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
Steelmark Month
National Community Action Month
Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
International Respect for Chickens Month
National Anxiety Month
American Cheese Month
National Photo Month
National Moving Month
Better Sleep Month
National Comfort Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
National Bicycle Safety Month