Bill Text: PA SR315 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating May 15 through June 15, 2012, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2012-05-09 - Introduced and adopted [SR315 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR315-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2183
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 315 Session of2012
INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, ERICKSON, HUGHES, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, SOLOBAY, TOMLINSON, KASUNIC, FONTANA, STACK, ORIE, PILEGGI, GREENLEAF, BOSCOLA, D. WHITE, BREWSTER, SCHWANK, BROWNE, COSTA, FERLO, EARLL, PIPPY, FARNESE AND BRUBAKER, MAY 9, 2012
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 9, 2012
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 15 through June 15, 2012, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated three in every 1,000 children between
six and 17 years of age in the United States and this
Commonwealth are diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a
neurobiological, genetic condition which has no cure; and
WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong developmental
disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age
and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are affected by
tics, which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face periodic
changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome frequently have
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co-occurring conditions that further complicate their care and
diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,
executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are frequently
misunderstood by their families, educators, the community and
even by medical professionals due to their ever-changing
symptoms which at times seem controllable; and
WHEREAS, Tourette Syndrome has historically been
misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
disturbance instead of chemical biology; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often teased
and not accepted by their peers and the general public; and
WHEREAS, Children with Tourette Syndrome are often
disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators
who fail to understand the child's inability to control his or
her tics and that the child may be delayed in his or her
maturity and emotional responses; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome face
discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,
coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their
unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and
WHEREAS, Schools are required to make accommodations to
support students with Tourette Syndrome to be successful in
their education program, but many schools often focus only on
the behavioral or emotional component of the disorder and fail
to notice learning disabilities, sensory integration needs,
handwriting issues and organizational issues as being related to
Tourette Syndrome; and
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WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette Syndrome are often very
intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
given the proper support; and
WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) to disregard disability in hiring or
promotions and to make accommodations to support employees with
Tourette Syndrome so the employees can be successful in the
workplace and not be forced to file for disability; and
WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, but many
employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these
accommodations for individuals with Tourette Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
has been established to promote awareness and provide support
and advocacy for individuals with Tourette Syndrome in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope
for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
Syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 15 through June 15,
2012, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and
urge all citizens to support the need for awareness and
education regarding Tourette Syndrome in order to assist those
individuals and families who deal with this neurobiological
syndrome every day of their lives.
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