As part of a model outreach to librarians, Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) is providing the public library systems in Nassau and Suffolk Counties,  Long Island (NY) with sets of informational materials including medical overview videos and articles on disc, and resources for teachers and school-based professionals.  As a result of this current outreach, all 115 library sites in the two counties will be able to have a discrete set of TSA professional resources on Tourette Syndrome available to all interested patrons.

 

This effort continues an extraordinary program developed with the support of New York State Senator Charles Fuschillo.  The aim of this program was to fully inform and encourage interest in TS on the part of community librarians.  The effort kicked off back in November 2008.  

On the day before an historic Election Day, November 3, 2008, TSA made its own history of another kind. The organization mounted its first major education and outreach program directed to librarians.  An excellent overview presentation on "Living With Tourette Syndrome" was delivered to an eager audience of nearly 50 librarians affiliated with the county-wide, Nassau Library System, in Uniondale, Nassau County, Long Island, New York. The featured presenter was Kathy Giordano, TSA Education Specialist.  Representatives from the TSA Long Island Chapter were on hand to inform the group about chapter activities in the area.

 

As a parent of three now-adult children with TS, a former educator, a part-time advocate for people with disabilities, and a TSA Education Specialist, Kathy Giordano was very well positioned to share essential information about the disorder and its effects. She augmented her presentation with many personal stories from each of these perspectives.

To further support this unique outreach, information and materials in both print and electronic formats were provided to all in attendance as part of the professional TS Education and Outreach Program Partnership joining the TSA with the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

In addition to a detailed overview of the condition, its salient symptoms and a discussion of its effects in schools and in the community, much of the focus involved the essential role local librarians can play in the development of children. All in attendance agree that librarians promote inclusion and involvement in library and community life for people with Tourette Syndrome.

One attendee remarked how she and her colleagues had reached out to an adult patron with symptoms they now believed to be TS, to assure that this individual could make complete use of their library and its facilities.  It was heartening to see many heads nodding as Kathy's comments resonated with this very supportive group of professionals.

As a result of this program, library scientists can take their place along with teachers, social workers, psychologists, allied professionals and physicians in the promotion of knowledge, understanding and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome.  Based on this successful model program, TSA hopes to replicate it in communities across the country.  However, funding for this type of program can be a challenge nationwide and would have to be explored on a case by case basis. National TSA looks forward to working with interested chapters and/or individuals to pursue potential supports.  Coupled with  the follow-up provision of resource materials as described above, TSA is excited about building partnerships with libraries and librarians everywhere to promote awareness of TS in the community.

TSA again thanks Sen. Charles Fuschillo and his staff for their generous continued support of these and other awareness initiatives on Long Island.