North Jersey Community Invited to Attend Walk to support Children and Families Affected by Tourette Syndrome

With as many as 1 in 100 children exhibiting signs of Tourette Syndrome (TS), parents often look to the community and schools for support. NJ Walks for TS is a series of awareness and fundraising walks that supports educational programming by NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS). The Bergen County walk will be held at Overpeck County Park in Ridgefield Park on Saturday, November 18.

Tourette Syndrome (TS), which usually appears around age 6 or 7, is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary sounds or movements known as tics and is frequently accompanied by obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health conditions.

“Children and young adults with TS are often not accepted by peers simply because they are “different” and others don’t have an understanding of why they tic or act the way they do,” said Faith Rice, executive director of NJCTS. “We know that having the support of their community – family, friends, neighbors, teachers and health professionals – who are willing to learn about their disorder and their every-day challenges, will lead to more inclusion and empathy, and, in the end, less bullying.”

NJCTS provides several education outreach programs including school in-service presentations for faculty and students, leadership development for teens and young adults with TS, and hospital-based training for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

Registration is open and donations can be made at www.njcts.org/walk. Check-in and onsite registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk kicks-off at 9:00 a.m.

The NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, the nation’s first Center for Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools, health centers, and universities. Visit www.njcts.org for more information.