A Successful Spring Symposium

On April 5th, we held our 2nd annual Missouri Tourette Syndrome Spring Symposium at the Drury Inn . Nationally recognized Tourette Syndrome expert Dr. Michael Himle spoke on TS research and the newest behavioral therapies, including Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). It was a great turn out with over 50 people attending. 

Here are some pictures from the event:

photo2

photo3

IMAG0831

IMAG0834

Don’t Miss This April 5 Opportunity

MBHimle2

 

We hope you’ll join us, the morning of April 5, to hear nationally recognized Tourette Syndrome expert Dr. Michael Himle, pictured above. He will share information on TS research and the newest behavioral therapies, including Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Drury Inn & Suites, 11980 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO 63141.

Please print and share this flier with anyone whom you think might be interested in attending.  And please remember to RSVP to lmchd52@gmail.com.

March 6 Kansas City Support Group Meeting

The first Tourette Syndrome Association support group meeting in the Kansas City area is scheduled for March 6. The meeting will start with a 30-minute presentation by TSA Youth Ambassador Jaren Zimmermann. Details follow.

Diagnosed with TS when he was 11 years old, Jaren attended a “Trip to the Hill” event with the Tourette Syndrome Association in Spring 2013, visiting members of the Missouri Congressional delegation. While in DC, Jaren was trained in the Youth Ambassador presentation on TS awareness and bullying.

Following Jaren’s presentation on March 6, there will be a meet-and-greet time for all attendees.

    MEETING DETAILS
    March 6, 2014
    6:30PM – 8:00PM
    Community Room
    Children’s Mercy Northland
    501 NW Barry Road
    Kansas City, MO 64155

Questions or comments can be emailed to either dzimm1224@gmail.com OR jarenzimmermann.ya.tsa@gmail.com.

Symposium On New Therapies With National And Local Experts

WHEN: Sat., April 5th

TIME: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Drury Inn (Olive and I-270)

Our speaker will be Dr. Michael Himle, Ph.D, Dept. of Psychology, University of Utah, who is one of the foremost published researchers on CBIT (Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Tics) in the country. We will also be opening up the event for attendance by local professionals in the area who are already currently using this therapy in their practice.

We look forward to seeing you there!

TALK TO THE TEENS: TS Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, February 6, 2013

TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.

WHERE: Destiny Church, 1809 Des Peres Road (off Manchester and I-270)

One of the most popular events for Tourette families is the “Talk to the Teens” panel discussion. We’re bringing this back for our February meeting. Speakers will include Drew Guise, our current Youth Ambassador, Taylor Blackwell, a Clayton HS student, and Jackie Schechter, a Wash U college student.

This event is open for all family members. It’s a great way for your kids to interact with some who have already walked through their most difficult years.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Coffee and Conversation Time Change

The time of the coffee and conversation event next Saturday has changed to 4:00pm in order to include more people. So we will now be meeting at Kayacks at 4:00pm. Hope to see many of you there!

Here is the new information for next Saturday. The only thing that has changed is the time!

What: Coffee and Conversation for pre-teens, teens, young adults, and parents
When: Saturday, October 26th
Time: 4:00pm
Where: Kayacks Cafe (270 N. Skinker Blvd., next to Washington University, near Forest Park)

Three Important Action Alerts

Here are three important action alerts from TSA’s legislative action center. Please take the time to do all three and include your personal stories in each.

-Take Action Now to End the Government Shut Down!
We are still in a partial government shut down and this is harmful to all of us and every health community. With the federal shutdown, NIH, CDC, FDA and SAMHSA, which are so important to all of us, cannot fully function.

– October is National Bullying Prevention Month
“The End of Bullying Begins with Me” is the message during the National Bullying Prevention Month in October. PACER created this national campaign back in 2006 and the National Tourette Syndrome Association has been a partner because we believe that this is the time for communities to unite nationwide to raise awareness of Tourette Syndrome and bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education.

– Continue to Support Tourette Syndrome Congressional Caucus
Working with the national Tourette Syndrome Association, the Caucus will help federal elected officials receive critical information about Tourette Syndrome (TS) to help them understand what it’s like to live with the disorder. Please take this time to share your personal stories.

Coffee and Conversation Meet Up

Coffee and Conversation for parents, pre-teens, teens, and young adults:

From 2:00pm to 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th, our teen/young adult group is hosting an event for parents, pre-teens, teens, and young adults at Kayacks Cafe, 270 N Skinker Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63105 (a cafe in Washington University and Forest Park area). Come for a great conversation, coffee, and snacks!

Action Alert: TS Caucus Update

Last month, we asked you to write your Members of Congress and encourage them to join the new Congressional Caucus on TS. We’re now asking that you write again, this time encouraging the same officials to send someone from their staff to a planned Congressional briefing session about TS on Sept. 17.

Here’s a link to assist you with making this request.

As always, we encourage you to re-phrase the template letter (available through the page linked above) in your own words.

October Back-to-School Event

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, our chapter plans to host a combined event for parents, teachers, and kids at Destiny Church, 1809 Des Peres Road, St. Louis, MO 63131 (near I-270 & Manchester Road).

Please park in the lower lot and use the back entrance of the church complex.

Our featured speaker for parents and teachers will be resource special educator Jullie Jacob, a recent SSD/Affton Teacher of the Year. Julie will offer information on a number of topics, including tips for (a) helping TS kids get organized and handle homework, (b) working with a child’s classroom teacher, (c) managing IEP meetings … and more.

Please feel free to invite your child’s teacher to this event. Informational packets will be available.

In addition, during Jullie’s presentation, we will be offering a game night for your children, so they can have some fun and social time, too.

We hope to see everyone there.