Tag Archives: Tourette Syndrome

Resources

Is There a Connection between TS+ and Alcohol/Substance Abuse?

June 14, 2012 – 2:55 pm
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Does having TS or ADHD mean a greater likelihood of alcohol/substance abuse?  Read on to find out what recent research says about the risk factors.

A study published this year found that most substance abuse problems peak during ages 18-26. This is when individuals go through rapid transitions, enter new social contexts, and have greater freedoms. That said, there are other reasons besides turning 18 that make someone more or less likely to abuse alcohol.

It is important to understand these “risk factors” as they are indicators of a higher likelihood that a person will develop an addiction to alcohol/drugs or use alcohol/drugs.

Risk Factors:

1. Gender

Males are more likely to abuse and use alcohol and marijuana than females.

2. Parental or Family Drinking, Family Medical History

If a pregnant woman drinks three plus glasses of alcohol per day, her child is likely to develop adult alcohol disorder. A family history of alcoholism is also a risk factor for alcoholism. Parental depression, like a family history of alcoholism, is associated with higher rates of alcohol abuse in children and youth.

3. Genetics & Social Factors

Substance dependence is associated with a number of genetic variations, but no one gene variant accounts for substance abuse. Genetic risks of alcoholism interact, or combine with, behavioural and social factors to impart a certain level of risk on a particular individual. For example, living in a more unstable neighbourhood is associated with a higher risk of young adult alcohol, drug and nicotine disorders. Individuals who experience abuse in childhood are also at a higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and abusing other harmful substances. In contrast, strong family bonds predict lower alcohol abuse and consumption. Social norms also play a role in drinking habits. For example, evidence suggests that in college, peers often accept binge drinking and so more binge drinking occurs.

4. Hyperactivity

Child hyperactivity is linked to young adult alcohol/drug problems only if it co-occurs with other conditions like oppositional defiance disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety or depression. In males, there is a strong link between youth aggression and young adulthood problem drinking.

5. Depression or Anxiety Disorders

Having some depressive symptoms in adolescence is a substance abuse risk factor. However, having a major depressive disorder is not a predictor of alcohol abuse. In fact, child (age 10-11) depressive symptoms predicted less of a tendency to drink. The is likely a result of doctor’s orders.

Having psychiatric symptoms (like anxiety or depression) at age 19 predicts greater amounts of heavy drink at age 25 than someone without these psychiatric symptoms. Delinquency, deviance, antisocial behaviour, and conduct problems predict heavier alcohol use in early and late adulthood.  Sensation-seeking behaviour and low harm avoidance behaviour in childhood and adolescence is associated with high drug and alcohol consumption in later life.

6. Other

Poor grades, low attachment to school, stressful life events (like a death of a parent) are predictors of alcohol abuse in young adulthood.

Note: Having these risk factors does not mean that a person will have an alcohol or substance abuse problem. These factors indicate that a person is more likely than those who do not have the same risk factors to develop these problems.

Statistics:

  • According to CBC News, Canadians spent almost $700 dollars on alcohol per person on average in 2007.
  • A 2008 study from the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health estimates that alcohol abuse costs every Canadian $463 per year in lost productivity, health care costs, and crime related costs.
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimate that every year 1,500 deaths occur due to drunk driving.
  • Per capita, Canadians consume on average, 115.75 litres of alcohol every year.
  • Alcohol sales totalled $18 billion dollars in 2007.

Need Help?

If you or a loved one has a substance abuse problem, please contact your provincial treatment referral service. They should also be able to tell you which programs are supported by your provincial health insurance plan. Here is a list by province/territory:
http://www.ccsa.ca/eng/topics/treatment/default/Pages/default.aspx

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Bullying Children/Youth Resources

The New Frontier of Bullying: Electronic and Cyber-Bullying

June 11, 2012 – 11:14 am
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It used to be that bullying happened on the playground, in the classroom, or on the school bus. Thanks to technological improvements, bullying now occurs in cyberspace as well.

Cyber-bullying or electronic bullying is intentional, repeated harm inflicted on someone through electronic media such as the internet or cell phones. It includes using electronic devices to embarrass, exclude, harass, or harm another person. Common forms are text message bullying, email bullying, chat room bullying and bullying via instant messaging.

This new form of bullying is increasingly becoming a problem for children and youth in Canada. According the Journal of Youth Violence & Juvenile Justice, 30% of children and youth in grades 2 through 12 experience one or more instances of cyber bullying. A research report entitled “New Bottle but Old Wine” found that one third of children who are bullied by their peers at school are also victimized through electronic means.

For everyone reading this who thinks “It’s not happening to my kid,” think again. Research indicates that since electronic bullying is easily concealed, many adults underestimate the number of youth who are being victimized. Not only is electronic bullying hard to catch, it is also hard to punish due to freedom of speech rights that complicate the removable of hurtful speech on websites. Furthermore, some students are scared to report cyber-bullying because they don’t want to lose the use of the Internet or their phone or email.

What can you do?

  • Talk to your child about electronic bullying.
  • Make sure your son or daughter know that if they tell you about cyber-bullying they won’t lose their Internet or cell phone privileges.
  • Make it a rule that your son or daughter can only use technology in a respectful way.
  • Report any threats of harm or violence to the police.
  • Make sure that your son or daughter knows that they are a special, good person, regardless of what a bully says.
  • Be a positive role model.
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TS Awareness

Dancer with TS Makes it on So You Think You Can Dance

June 7, 2012 – 11:18 am
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We’re thrilled that a talented dancer with TS has made it through the audition round on the dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance!

Take a look at this short video clip to see this amazing young woman (she was not named during the segment) show judges and the world her moves. Not only did she stand proudly and talk about being diagnosed with TS, but she also demonstrated that having TS can’t stop you from making your dreams come true!

Tune in to So You Think You Can Dance to show your support.It airs on CTV in Canada on Wednesday evenings. Check www.ctv.ca for show times and information.

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Children/Youth TS Awareness

Connor draws about his Tourette

April 5, 2012 – 11:23 am
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Connor F., a young boy with TS who lives in the Greater Toronto Area, had an In-service at his school recently. He was inspired to draw a picture expressing what it’s like to have TS. Connor’s mother sent a copy of his picture to us, and we think it’s just awesome. Here it is:

Yay Connor! That’s the spirit we all like to see in our young ones.

If you have a budding artist in your family and you’d like to share their talent, please send a copy of their TS-related work (a photo or a scan) to tsfc@tourette.ca.

 

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Children/Youth Fundraising Guest Bloggers

Guest Blogger Anita Sadori: 2012 Police Curling Championship in Montreal

April 4, 2012 – 3:16 pm
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On April 1st I saw the Police Curling Championship held in the Town of Mount-Royal in Montreal, Quebec. The charity of choice that they chose was the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. All the money that was raised is being sent to the Foundation as well as the money from the silent auction.

There were many guests there as well, such as Cathy Wylie, TSFC National President, the Chief of Police, the Mayor of the Town of Mount-Royal and bagpipers. It was a beautiful event to be at.

Here are some photos of the event:


Anita Sadori
Bio: Anita Sadori is 22 years old. She was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 7, and is excited about getting more involved with the TS cause. She thinks it’s great that there are people out there helping to raise money for an amazing cause. You can follow her personal TS blog at: http://blogtourette.wordpress.com.

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General

James Durbin’s Debut Album Out Today

November 21, 2011 – 11:17 am
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When he first graced the stage on American Idol, James Durbin instantly made TS cool and sexy. His confidence, talent, openness about his disorders (he also has Asperger Syndrome) and other great qualities made him the perfect role model for TS+. Our community was so heartbroken when he lost in the finals. J-Lo wasn’t the only one shedding frustrated tears, that’s for sure. But then James did something that embodies the spirit of our community. He gathered himself together, shrugged it off, and prepared himself for the road ahead: his dream, his challenges, his future to shape with his actions.


Today marks the next phase in his musical career, the release of his first album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster. The reviews are super positive, like this one in the USA Today.

Have you heard the album yet? If you have, then please let us know what you think of it by commenting on this blog entry. We’d love to hear from you.

For those with TS about to rock, we salute you!

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@Random

An @Random Film Screening at TIFF

September 1, 2011 – 2:31 pm
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A still from the @Random film Mandeep

We are pleased to announce that one of our @Random films, Mandeep, has been selected for TIFF and will be screening as part of Short Cuts Canada. The film is part of the SCC: Program 4 screening on Monday, September 12 at 8:00 pm and Tuesday, September 13 at 5:00 pm. Both screenings are at the Jackman Hall, AGO.

Mandeep is Darrin Klimek’s directorial debut, and we thank him for this complex , sensitive portrait of the “vulnerable but outgoing” Mandeep Sanghera.

After it premiers at TIFF, the film will again be available to view on the @Random website.

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Guest Bloggers TS Awareness

Guest Blogger Elisabeth Sanders: Flowers for TS in Nova Scotia

August 11, 2011 – 10:57 am
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People who know me and see my front and backyard know that I love plants and flowers. Frans (my husband) travels to work over a bridge to Halifax which passes by a hill with a community flower bed and the idea was born to see if we could get the TS logo on it with plants and flowers.

First we had to figure out the way to get in contact with the right person. A call to the Bridge Commission sent us to the person we needed to go to, and we officially applied for a TS flower bed. This was all done last year March. Our wish was to have the 35th anniversary logo on it, but they told us that it would be too complicated and asked if we had another logo. So we sent them the ‘regular’ TS logo. We didn’t think we had a chance of being selected, since they have so many organizations who send in requests. We didn’t mind of course which logo they would use, we were happy that they even considered our idea!

Over 50,000 cars cross this bridge every day. Can you imagine the exposure?

The idea was kind of ‘forgotten’ over the winter. That’s until we noticed they were working on the flower bed in the spring. We were super excited, because from the looks of it it was the TS logo. Frans was of course the first one who saw the end result on his way in to work, and he took the whole family back again to Halifax to see the flower bed.

I think it looks awesome and the letters are clear so everybody can see it when they drive by. I have been contacted by the newspaper and they wrote a nice article on it in the Halifax News. They added a picture of me and our son Timo and of course a picture of the flower bed itself.

We couldn’t think of better exposure for the Tourette Syndrome Foundation than this!

We could ask them again to make a flower bed next year when the Lower Sackville resource unit celebrates its fifth anniversary, but maybe that would be pushing our luck… ;-)

Elisabeth Sanders
TSFC – Lower Sackville Resource Unit

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@Random

@Random launches!

May 19, 2011 – 11:52 am
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It’s official: we have launched the @Random project and we want to thank everyone who was able to join us yesterday for the launch party. For those of you who couldn’t join us we invite you to visit the site now and share it often.

As many of you know, Tourette Syndrome is often portrayed wrongly in the media. With that in mind Saatchi & Saatchi paired with the Foundation to help clarify the facts surrounding Tourette Syndrome.

Through a series of documentaries released yesterday, the @Random project strives to create a more realistic and honest portrayal of Tourette Syndrome.

What we shared with the world yesterday are over two dozen films collected from across Canada and reaching as far as the United States and Norway. The films were compiled over the course of two years to create a documentary that will, like Tourette Syndrome, never be the same way twice.

We hope that you’ll continue to share the @Random project with your social networks and we’re looking forward to connecting with you both on Facebook & Twitter.

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