2020 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month with Joy Keys

Tourette Syndrome is one type of Tic Disorder. Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations. They are the primary symptoms of a group of childhood-onset neurological conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders and individually as Tourette Syndrome (TS), Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder, and Provisional Tic Disorder.

Special Guest--Emily Ricketts Ph.D. is a Clinical Specialist in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at University of California, Los Angeles, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.  Her research centers on the relationship between sleep and circadian disturbance, symptom severity, and underlying neurocognitive mechanisms in Tourette’s Disorder and obsessive-compulsive-spectrum (e.g., hair pulling disorder, skin picking disorder) disorders. She has received funding from the NIMH, and Tourette Association of America to evaluate circadian rhythms and the effects of short-wavelength wearable light therapy in youth and adults with Tourette’s Disorder.

Special Guest--Chloe Winston is a Tourette Association Youth Ambassador. Chloe struggled with her tics in the beginning. But since becoming a Youth Ambassador, she reached a point where she’s gained confidence and wants to spread awareness and teach people about Tourette Syndrome.