Greater Missouri TSA

TSA National Conference Update

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:56:31 +0000

The schedule for the TSA National Conference, April 15-18, is now available online.

We hope you will find the conference program interesting and relevant. Even for those who have been to the conference before, there are always new updates on perennial topics and new presenters to share their expertise. Time has also been scheduled each day for networking.

The conference registration page can be found here.

Joshua Camp

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:46:58 +0000

Joshua Camp can be a wonderful experience for children who have Tourette Syndrome and/or associated disorders and who have completed the third through eighth grades.

This year’s camp will be held June 13-17 at the Rotary Youth Club Camp, next to Lake Jacomo in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Check here for an application and additional information.

Contribute to our Chapter’s Future

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:24:41 +0000

If you are interested in serving on our chapter board, please contact Maureen Downey at 314-892-0272 or modowney1@sbcglobal.net. She will forward your name to the nominating committee. Elections will be held at our Monday, April 26 meeting; details to be announced.

Next Support Group Meeting

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:17:09 +0000

Our next support group meeting in the St. Louis area is set for March 29. This meeting is specially designed for fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other men who play a significant role in our TS families.

Check here for details.

Special TS Story fom Coppell, Texas

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:59:27 +0000

Here’s a heartwarming story out of Coppell, Texas, where high school senior Andrew Nesbitt, who has TS, was given a unique opportunity to be part of his high school’s winning soccer team, for which he volunteers time as team manager.

You can view the news segment from the local CBS affiliate here.

Andrew said he will never forget this moment: “I felt like I was on the team and just like any other player. It was awesome!”

Congratulations to Andrew, his coach, friends and family, who don’t let his Tourette Syndrome stand in his way!

New Presentation: ‘Helpful Tips for IEP Meetings’

Pete Abel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:23:20 +0000

The latest installment in the national TSA Education Committee’s information series is now available.

The new, 35-minute presentation — from Kathy Giordano, an education specialist with the national TSA — offers advice to parents and educators on how they can work together to develop an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that best addresses the unique needs of each TS student.

The current and prior installments in this series are available here.

Joshua Center St. Louis Conference

Pete Abel — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:00:34 +0000

Becky Ottinger, executive director of the Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders, and Mike Sumler, a counselor with that organization, will be the featured speakers at a one-day conference in the St. Louis area, March 10.

Check here for details.

The conference aims to help participants learn how to recognize symptoms associated with various neurological disorders and develop effective interventions, accommodations, and strategies for children with those disorders, including Asperger syndrome, Tourette syndrome, high-functoning autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, bipolar, and pervasive development disorder.

The conference will emphasize information and instruction for teachers; however, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other independent caregivers and healthcare professionals also stand to benefit.

Next Support Group Meeting

Pete Abel — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:46:16 +0000

Our next support group meeting in the St. Louis area is set for Feb. 22. Check here for details.

New Presentation: IEP’s and 504 Plans

Pete Abel — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:23:59 +0000

A new, 36-minute audio presentation with accompanying slides is now available from the National TSA, offering information and guidance to parents and teachers who are considering IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and/or 504 Plans for students with Tourette Syndrome and related disorders.

For more information on prior installments in this presentation series, check here and here.

Help National TSA Secure $1 Million

Pete Abel — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:09:53 +0000

Your Facebook votes in the first round helped the National TSA place among the top 100 charities to receive $25,000.

Your votes are needed again — and this time, the organization that gets the most votes receives $1 million, with the next five vote-getters receiving $100,000.

Please vote today.

If you’re already a Facebook member, go here to vote — then scroll down to read the National TSA’s “Big Idea” for using the funds to help those affected by Tourette Syndrome across the country.

If you’re not yet a Facebook member, please join so you can vote for TSA.