Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month – May. 15, 2027

Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month
Categories:
Tags:
Awareness
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every May 15 to June 15
Holiday emoji:
đź’š

Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month runs annually from May 15 to June 15, dedicated to educating the public about Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). This period encourages understanding, reduces stigma, and promotes support for individuals living with TS. Join advocacy efforts, share accurate information, and participate in educational events.

Want to sponsor Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month? Learn how

Expected Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month Deals

During Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to impactful awareness and fundraising initiatives. Organizations like the Tourette Association of America (TAA) often partner with corporate sponsors for donation matching campaigns, encouraging public contributions to research and support programs. Look for educational webinars and virtual events hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments. Retailers may offer branded merchandise, with a portion of sales benefiting TS advocacy groups. Many regional support networks organize awareness walks, online challenges, and social media campaigns to highlight the experiences of those with TS. We will update this page with confirmed live events and campaigns as May 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #TSAwarenessMonth. Share professional insights on neurodiversity and workplace inclusion.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TourettesSyndromeAwareness. Post personal stories, educational resources, and community event details.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #TSAwareness. Share quick facts, research updates, and advocate for policy changes related to Tourette’s Syndrome.

Social Media Tips for Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

Individuals

Educate yourself and your social circle about Tourette's Syndrome. Share accurate information, challenge misconceptions, and show empathy and support for those with TS.

Creators

Produce short videos or infographics that explain what Tourette's Syndrome is, debunk myths, and highlight the diverse experiences of individuals living with tics. Use accessible language.

Brands

Launch an internal or external campaign to promote understanding of neurodiversity. Partner with a TS advocacy organization for a donation drive or an educational workshop for employees.

Organizations & Brands for Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

  1. Tourette Association of America (TAA)

    Founded in 1972, the TAA is the premier national organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders. They drive research, provide education, and advocate for public policy.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    The CDC plays a vital role in public health, including monitoring the prevalence of Tourette's Syndrome, conducting research, and providing resources for families and healthcare providers to improve diagnosis and care.

  3. Child Neurology Foundation

    Dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurologic conditions, the Child Neurology Foundation offers resources, education, and support to families and professionals dealing with a wide range of pediatric neurological disorders, including TS.

  4. Neurocrine Biosciences

    A pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering life-changing treatments for neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Their work often involves conditions with shared biological pathways with Tourette's Syndrome.

  5. Google

    Beyond its search engine, Google is a leader in accessibility initiatives, developing technologies that assist individuals with diverse needs. They also promote neurodiversity in the workplace and provide platforms for health information dissemination.

  6. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

    As one of the top children's hospitals in the nation, CHOP has a robust neurology department and neurodevelopmental programs that provide cutting-edge research, diagnosis, and treatment for children with Tourette's Syndrome and other tic disorders.

  7. Tics and Tourette's Action (UK)

    A leading national charity in the United Kingdom, Tics and Tourette's Action provides support, information, and advice to individuals and families living with Tourette's Syndrome. They also campaign for greater awareness and understanding.

Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month Hero

Georges Gilles de la Tourette

Born in 1857, French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette is credited with first describing Tourette's Syndrome in 1885. He documented nine patients with a syndrome characterized by multiple motor tics, vocal tics, and behavioral issues, laying the groundwork for modern understanding of the disorder. His meticulous observations were crucial in distinguishing TS from other neurological conditions.

History of Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

Tourette syndrome, or Tourette’s syndrome, is a neurological disorder, usually hereditary, which could either begin in an individual’s childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. The eponym for the condition was given by Jean-Martin Charcot on behalf of his intern, Georges Albert Édouard Brutus Gilles de la Tourette, a French physician and neurologist, who published an account of nine patients who had the disease in 1885.

The possibility of movement disorders, Tourette syndrome inclusive, having been of organic origin came to the fore when an encephalitis epidemic from 1918 to 1926 resulted in a subsequent epidemic of tic disorders. In 1972, research advanced the position that Tourette’s is a neurological, rather than psychological, disorder and since the 1990s, a more neutral view of Tourette’s had taken shape, in which biological vulnerability and adverse environmental events are seen as interacting factors.

Tourette’s is a heterogeneous condition accompanied by waxing and waning symptoms. High-profile media coverage focuses on treatments that do not have established safety or efficacy e.g., deep brain stimulation, and alternative therapies involving unstudied efficacy and side effects are pursued by many parents. Research since 1999 has advanced the genetics, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and neuropathology aspects of the knowledge of Tourette’s syndrome. However, there are still questions about the best classification for it as well as its close relationship with other movements or psychiatric disorders. There are currently efforts being made towards researching the genetic origin and possibly better management of Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month timeline

1825
Jean-Martin Charcot is Born

The influential French physician Jean-Martin Charcot, whose work in neurology will influence Georges Gilles de la Tourette, is born.

1825
First Case of Tourette’s Discovered

The earliest known case of Tourette’s syndrome is observed, although it is yet to be known as Tourette’s syndrome.

1857
Georges Gilles de la Tourette is Born

The French physician after whom the condition was named, Georges Gilles de la Tourette, is born.

1885
“Study of a Nervous Affliction” is Published

Georges de la Tourette’s study of nine patients suffering from the syndrome, titled “Study of a Nervous Affliction,” is released.

1961
Haloperidol Treatment

Seignot publishes the first account of haloperidol in the treatment of Tourette's.

1980
Inclusion in D.S.M.-III

The third revision of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (D.S.M.-III) includes Tourette’s syndrome for the first time.

1983
Recognized as a Rare Disorder

The United States Orphan Drug Act of 1983, recognizes Tourette’s syndrome as a rare disorder.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

Local businesses can observe Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month by fostering an inclusive environment and educating their staff. Consider hosting a virtual lunch-and-learn session with a local expert or a representative from the Tourette Association of America to demystify TS. Retailers could offer a ’round-up at the register’ option to benefit a local neurodiversity charity, or display educational posters throughout their premises. Agencies might dedicate social media content to sharing facts and dispelling myths about Tourette’s, demonstrating their commitment to supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month FAQs

When is Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month?

In 2027, Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month will be observed from Saturday, May 15 through Tuesday, June 15. It’s an important time to promote understanding and support for those with TS.

How many people are affected by Tourette's Syndrome?

The prevalence of Tourette’s Syndrome is estimated to affect about 1.4 million individuals across the U.S., with diagnoses typically occurring in childhood. Awareness efforts aim to ensure early detection and support.

What are the common symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome?

Individuals with Tourette’s Syndrome experience involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations known as tics. These can range from simple, brief movements to complex, coordinated sequences, often preceded by an uncomfortable ‘premonitory urge.’

Is Tourette's Syndrome a lifelong condition?

While Tourette’s Syndrome is considered a lifelong neurological condition, the severity and frequency of tics can fluctuate over time. Many adults with TS learn to manage their symptoms effectively, and some experience significant improvement.

How to Observe Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

  1. Participate in “Move For Tourettes”

    “Move For Tourette’s” is an exercise organized annually in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month. You can join in and participate in this year’s lineup of activities.

  2. Raise money for Tourettes Action

    You can open a fundraiser online (or offline). Invite family friends and the general public to come to donate towards raising funds for Tourettes Action.

  3. Share on social media

    You can share photos, pictures, and other media documenting your participation in different exercises throughout Tourettes Awareness month on social media. Use the #TourettesSyndromeAwarenessMonth and #TourettesAwarenessMonth hashtags.

5 Interesting Facts About Tourette's Syndrome

  1. Tourette's Syndrome causes tics

    People with Tourettes syndrome usually experience multiple motor tics, which are neurological anomalies.

  2. It’s named after Georges de la Tourette

    First discovered in 1825, Tourette's syndrome did not have a specific name until one was given to it by Jean-Martin Charcot, who named it after his intern, Georges de la Tourette.

  3. One in 100 children have Tourette’s

    .Studies have shown that one in every 100 children is likely to have Tourette's syndrome or a similar form of tic disorder.

  4. Tourette’s patients all have unique tics

    It has been said that no two individuals with Tourette's syndrome have the same tic.

  5. Males are more likely to have Tourette’s

    Studies show that males are three to five times more likely to suffer Tourettes Syndrome than females.

Why Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month is Important

  1. It creates awareness for Tourettes Syndrome

    The Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is an exercise in bringing more and more awareness to the condition to sensitize people towards its signs, symptoms, and possible treatments. We love creating awareness about important causes.

  2. It’s an opportunity to reach out and donate

    Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is a very good opportunity for people to rally together and donate to a cause. Do some research and donate to an organization of your choice.

  3. It keeps the conversation ongoing

    Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month, and all the activities surrounding it, help to keep the conversation going. It encourages more medical research that could lead to better managing Tourettes Syndrome.

Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2027 May 15 Saturday
2028 May 15 Monday
2029 May 15 Tuesday
2030 May 15 Wednesday
2031 May 15 Thursday