Category Archives: In-Service Program

Children/Youth Guest Bloggers In-Service Program

Guest Blogger Laura Locke: Removing the Road Blocks for Students with Coprolalia

April 15, 2013 – 4:36 pm
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Laura Locke CROPCoprolalia: Utterance of obscene, aggressive or otherwise socially unacceptable words or phrases. (Glossary, Understanding Tourette Syndrome: a Handbook for Educators)

What are some ways school staff can help remove the road blocks to learning for a student with coprolalia?

[PHOTO: In-Service Presenter/Trainer, Laura Locke]

One of our In-Service Providers was recently asked to talk to a school staff dealing with this challenging though rare aspect of Tourette Syndrome.  I was contacted to see if I had any suggestions for him as he planned his presentation. From my experience as an educator and my reading on the subject, and also from talking to a few friends whom I have met at our National Conference who live with coprolalia, I suggested a few strategies that I hope will be helpful.

Coprolalia is a vocal tic that often has a sudden, explosive quality, and is usually out of context. It is vital to make sure that most if not all of the school community knows about the situation (with the student’s permission). Besides teaching staff, students and parents, this also includes caretakers, bus drivers, lunchroom volunteers, etc. who might have contact with this student. It is, of course, extremely embarrassing for the person with coprolalia. Hopefully staff and students will try their best to ignore the outbursts, armed with the knowledge that the person with coprolalia cannot help it.

Collaborative “detective work” is very helpful. By this, I mean the student with coprolalia and his or her teachers and parents talking together and pinpointing triggers and causes of anxiety, and then trying to short-circuit or eliminate them. Allowing the student to go to a safe place (e.g. the office or resource room) or simply go for a walk when anxiety is mounting are good options that should be discussed.

Certain times and places can be potentially very challenging (e.g. the library, assemblies, recess, lunch time, on the bus home when the student is tired, loosely structured classes like music or physical education, etc.) This is when positive, supportive and honest communication between the student with coprolalia, staff and parents is so helpful. When people can get together and examine the “trouble spots” in a student’s day—and then come up with possible solutions—amazing things can happen.

A key strategy is not to make “too big a deal” out of coprolalia outbursts—and to even try to have a sense of humour about it. The teacher’s attitude will set the tone as to how others behave towards this student. Making sure the student knows that they are valued for who they are, and taking steps to ensure that they are not being judged or excluded at school because of their coprolalia, is very important. This experience can be a valuable lesson in compassion and empathy-in-action for an entire school community. Parents, staff and students should have opportunity to have their questions and concerns addressed, and be encouraged to brainstorm about ways that they can help the student.

Assigning one special staff member (e.g. a librarian, resource teacher, secretary, aide, physical education teacher, vice-principal, etc.) who can become the student’s special friend and mentor is also a good idea. A caring adult can make a huge difference in someone’s life who is dealing with coprolalia. Part of this relationship can be to help the student develop skills and confidence to explain his or her symptoms.

Behavioural therapy with the support of a professional has been effective for many people with coprolalia. It can be helpful in learning to deal with anxiety and related symptoms, and can also train them to use strategies such as substituting a modified version or a similar word instead of the inappropriate or obscene word, to change their voice to a whisper, or to cover their mouth to muffle the words. Medication can also help, and of course, sometimes coprolalia lessens or goes away on its own with time.

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In-Service Program TS Awareness Volunteerism

In-Service Feedback

May 7, 2012 – 2:28 pm
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Last week we profiled a number of our in-service presenters. Today we wanted to cap it off by offering you a glimpse into the audience’s reactions to in-service presentations. Here is what students, educators, parents and communities had to say after receiving an in-service from one of the TSFC’s skilled in-service presenters:

“The strategies and information were the strongest aspect of the session…I had limited knowledge prior and feel that I have the information and coping strategies I need”
—Teacher candidate

“The instructor was very personable with lots of hands-on experience and stories to share!”
—High school student

“My students were so engaged by the discussion..thank you so much for the wonderful and informative session!”
—Elementary school teacher

“You were such a hit! Everyone on staff is demanding that you come back again soon! We want to have you come again to do another session.”
—High school principal

“My son was really happy with the presentation…he came home excited that even HE learned something. Thank you so much!”
—Parent of student with TS

“There was so much that I learned about that I didn’t know!”
—Special Education Resource Teacher

“…it made such a difference to our daughter that you went in and had a session with the staff. Now I feel that everyone ‘gets it’!”
—Parent of student with TS

“Fabulous!”
—Coordinator of Students Services

To learn more about becoming an in-service presenter in your community, please contact Ashley at ashley@tourette.ca.

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In-Service Program Volunteerism

In-Service Presenter Profile: Jill Bobula

May 3, 2012 – 1:25 pm
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One of the most important things the TSFC does for the TS community is the In-Service Program. We send trained in-service presenters to speak at schools, workplaces and beyond about Tourette Syndrome and its associated conditions. In-service presenters educate school faculties, students, co-workers and fellow community members, providing everything from a clear understanding of the disorder to classroom strategies to lessons on tolerance and much more. This week, we profile some of the wonderful people responsible for this incredibly valuable service.

Jill Bobula

Jill Bobula

As an author, a karate instructor and a mother of two busy children, my life is rather fulfilling and my schedule is nothing short of hectic. However, there are a few things in my life that create a sense of extreme excitement and satisfaction, and in-service presentations are one of them.

I love doing in-service presentations because I know how powerful the information I share with my audience can be – it is without a doubt, life-altering for those who are affected by Tourette Syndrome. The most poignant moments have been helping children who are misunderstood, bullied, or teased by their classmates and even, in some cases, by their teachers. It’s hard to say in so few words how knowledge and awareness have changed these students’ lives for the better, but it has.

In-service presentations are a gift, a very precious gift that I’m proud to be a part of!

To learn more about becoming an in-service presenter in your community, please contact Ashley at ashley@tourette.ca.

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Children/Youth In-Service Program Volunteerism

In-Service Presenter Profile: Mandeep Sanghera

May 2, 2012 – 11:58 am
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One of the most important things the TSFC does for the TS community is the In-Service Program. We send trained in-service presenters to speak at schools, workplaces and beyond about Tourette Syndrome and its associated conditions. In-service presenters educate school faculties, students, co-workers and fellow community members, providing everything from a clear understanding of the disorder to classroom strategies to lessons on tolerance and much more. This week, we profile some of the wonderful people responsible for this incredibly valuable service.

Mandeep (lower right) during an It's Your Move youth program activity at the 2011 National Conference in Ottawa.

Mandeep Sanghera

I have been a presenter for several years now and I have had several successful speaking engagements. I really enjoy talking about my Tourette Syndrome symptoms – coprolalia and copropraxia to name a few – and explaining what it is like to live with TS+.

Several years ago, I spoke to a class of high school students who were learning about different disorders. I ticced several times in front of the class. The students understood. Nobody laughed or made a funny face. I really felt like they got it.

One of my most memorable in-service moments was when I was at Frank Hurt Secondary School in Surrey BC speaking to some grade 9 and grade 10 students. One of the students asked me, “Mandeep, why do you say “F@%#^$)(&)*&)#@@_$%”? I looked at all the students and teachers, they were all really shocked that someone actually asked that. I told the crowd that it was a good question and then explained that this is a tic. It is an involuntary symptom of my neurological disorder. It is like the urge to scratch or sneeze. When I was done speaking, everyone clapped for me. It felt really good.

I think in-service presentations definitely help people to be more understanding not only of people with TS like me, but also of others who stand out as different because they have a medical condition. I think it is important to go out and educate as much as you can. I am so glad I have been able to be involved in the program!

To learn more about becoming an in-service presenter in your community, please contact Ashley at ashley@tourette.ca.

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In-Service Program Volunteerism

In-Service Presenter Profile: Ashley Menard

May 1, 2012 – 3:14 pm
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One of the most important things the TSFC does for the TS community is the In-Service Program. We send trained in-service presenters to speak at schools, workplaces and beyond about Tourette Syndrome and its associated conditions. In-service presenters educate school faculties, students, co-workers and fellow community members, providing everything from a clear understanding of the disorder to classroom strategies to lessons on tolerance and much more. This week, we profile some of the wonderful people responsible for this incredibly valuable service.

Ashley getting ready for the 2012 Trek for Tourette with her dog Potter.

Ashley Menard

When I started working for the TSFC six months ago, I couldn’t have guessed that my favourite part of the job would be giving in-service presentations. Some people seek out a cause to champion, for others like myself, their cause finds them.

The first in-service I did was for educators from a local elementary school. My palms were so sweaty that I was afraid to shake hands. I checked that my computer was working four times; I practiced over and over, even  in the car. When I started to speak, my nervousness faded. I saw nodding heads, eyes lighting up with “a-has”, eyebrows raising with “oh, I didn’t know thats”.

Even though I’ve done over ten presentations, I still get a bit nervous. Two Fridays ago, I addressed 200 middle school students. I was surprised to learn from a teacher that when she asked her class to leave early, they begged her to let them stay. Their empathy, understanding and insight brought me to tears on a number of occasions. Thank goodness it was dark in the auditorium!

I am still learning to be the best in-service presenter I can be, and with each presentation, my knowledge of the condition, and of how it is perceived, grows. I am so grateful for this opportunity; it has been a source of personal and professional growth. To all those volunteers thinking about becoming a presenter, give it a try, you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish!

To learn more about becoming an in-service presenter in your community, please contact Ashley at ashley@tourette.ca.

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In-Service Program Volunteerism

In-Service Presenter Profile: Laura Locke

April 30, 2012 – 1:55 pm
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One of the most important things the TSFC does for the TS community is the In-Service Program. We send trained in-service presenters to speak at schools, workplaces and beyond about Tourette Syndrome and its associated conditions. In-service presenters educate school faculties, students, co-workers and fellow community members, providing everything from a clear understanding of the disorder to classroom strategies to lessons on tolerance and much more. This week, we profile some of the wonderful people responsible for this incredibly valuable service.

Laura (left) receiving a National Volunteer Award from then TSFC President Linda Newton.

Laura Locke

I became an in-service presenter about eight years ago, just a year after my son Peter was diagnosed with TS. I had resigned from being Assistant Principal to homeschool Peter and though I enjoyed it, I sometimes missed interacting with students and teachers. Becoming an in-service presenter seemed like an excellent idea. It turned out to be even more fulfilling than I imagined.

With every in-service I delivered, I improved. I got better at structuring my presentations, facilitating empathy exercises, talking without rambling, and using PowerPoint. My son started accompanying me as “tech support”, and soon began fielding questions and giving a talk about “the worst ways to help someone with TS” – always a big hit.

After years of presenting, it is the audiences’ reactions that touch my heart and motivate me to continue…

…like the teacher who cried as he hugged Peter and said: “I had no idea. I’m so sorry that I haven’t been more patient and understanding in my classroom. Thank you for giving me this gift today.”

…like the tall, muscular grade six student who stood up at the end of our presentation and apologized to his much smaller classmate with TS for the way he’d behaved, and then asked in a trembling voice if maybe they could hang out together sometime.

I’ve done in-services for all sorts of people from teachers and students to cadets and social workers, even office workers and a whole hotel staff. I love it! A few years ago I had the opportunity to become a certified trainer of in-service presenters. It is so gratifying to equip others to take part in this very rewarding activity. Giving an in-service is like a tossing a pebble into a pond: you never know the ripple effect you set in motion.

To learn more about becoming an in-service presenter in your community, please contact Ashley at ashley@tourette.ca.

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