Classroom adjustments: Tourette syndrome

This podcast is part of a series that highlights adjustments that can be made in the classroom to enable students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.

In this episode, we talk about common adjustments teachers make in the classroom to support students with Tourette syndrome. A neurological disorder, Tourette’s causes motor and vocal tics, which are involuntary movements and sounds. The severity of Tourette’s and the complexity of tics will change from one student to another. For instance, some students may twitch their nose or click their tongue, while others may spin uncontrollably or blurt out obscene words. Students can also develop new tics and the symptoms of Tourette’s will wax and wane, making it unpredictable for both the student and teacher.

Year 6 student Mark describes Tourette’s as ‘random’ and explains why it makes him feel anxious at school. His father Scott recalls a time when Mark’s tics were so severe that it resulted in him breaking his front teeth. Teacher Malia Storey champions a safe space in the school that students with Tourette’s can feel comfortable retreating to when they are experiencing a problematic day. Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia President Robyn Latimer busts some commonly held myths about Tourette syndrome.

Top five takeaways

Remember that Tourette’s is unpredictable; however, stress is a known trigger. So, take active steps within your classroom to reduce the level of concern a student experiencing Tourette’s may have. You can minimise anxiety in the learning environment by addressing the underlying restlessness students can feel. Using sensory toys, spinners, elastic bands and stress balls will allow a student to overcome a distressing and difficult period.
Students with Tourette’s find executive functioning skills such as organisation and planning difficult. Students will find transitions particularly stressful. To help with this, build structure and routine into your day. By providing plenty of information and guidance about expectations and what’s coming up, and by creating a sense of familiarity, you can help a student manage their stress levels. Along with preparation, it’s important to give transition warnings ahead of changes taking place. Then, allow the student reasonable time to get organised.
Build regular breaks into your daily routine. It’s important to factor in frequent opportunities for movement for a student with Tourette’s – so make this an essential part of your schedule. You can also build in incidental activity, such as getting the student with Tourette’s to perform errands that allow them to walk around. Movement enables students to become refreshed and helps them focus on their learning once they return to the classroom.
Students with Tourette’s are likely to have difficulties with memory. Chunking information and giving limited instructions will help with this. Also, ensure that you are always repeating and reinforcing your instructions. When it comes to completing tasks and assessments, focus on quality over quantity. Assign fewer questions to the student with Tourette’s, ensuring that they are only concentrating on the core skills required.
Given that the symptoms of Tourette’s wax and wane, get to know what the triggers are for the student and take the appropriate actions to minimise the causes. It may be as simple as thinking about seating arrangements and where you place that student within the larger classroom context. When a student is having a difficult day make sure you have set up a safe place that they can venture into to release their tics. The student must be aware that they aren’t constrained and can feel free to move. This will help with reducing tension, which is known to increase tics.

Discussion starters

What steps can I take to minimise anxiety in my classroom and support students with Tourette’s?
Why is it important to build structure and routine into the day for students with Tourette’s? How can I do this best?
Why is movement necessary for students with Tourette’s? How can I incorporate this into the daily schedule?
Given Tourette’s is unpredictable by nature, what is the best way that I can prepare for an eruption of symptoms?

How can I change the way I approach my lessons to help students with Tourette’s remember details and enhance their comprehension of new concepts?

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Approximately 26 minute run time.

Credits

Interviewees

Malia Storey, Primary School Teacher, NSW

Robyn Latimer, President, Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia

Mark, Year 6 student

Scott, Mark’s dad

Host/Producer

Serpil Senelmis, Written & Recorded

Producer/Audio Engineer