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TSA-CDC Professional Education Program Begins Unprecedented Sixth Year
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 The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) is authorized to begin an unprecedented 6th year of its program partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through this partnership, TSA has provided over 362 intensive medical, allied clinical professional and school-based education programs nationwide. These popular programs have offered authoritative education on the recognition, diagnosis and management of Tourette Syndrome (TS) to the over 23,000 professionals in attendance. Sessions have been offered during the previous five years in every state of the country, in large metropolitan areas and in many smaller towns as well as outlying areas where TS resources and information are really needed. Wherever feasible, TSA chapters are offered the opportunity to develop family meetings with the featured presenter.
The partnership has reached an additional 45,000 professionals through mailings and exhibits at over 40 national meetings, as of mid-summer 2009.
Evaluation data from the programs consistently indicate that the program is providing new information on TS and the effects of the disorder. The information is widely described by physicians who have attended programs as being highly valuable. In addition, the outreach program is achieving its goals of increasing professionals' ability to recognize and address the needs of students with TS in a variety of settings.
 Highlights of these programs include nineteen programs on Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). CBIT represents an innovative, non-pharmacological approach for the potential amelioration of some TS symptoms. These workshops have detailed the methods and applications of this National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) funded approach to audiences of psychologists and related allied professionals and help to broaden knowledge among treating professionals about this intervention.
Outreach to medical schools and their residents has also been included in program efforts. The newly updated Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of TS and accompanying video Guide to Diagnosis of TS was distributed to 842 Residency Training Directors in relevant specialties. These programs are currently training 17,488 residents across the country.
Bringing essential information on TS to racial, ethnic and cultural minorities is a key component of the effort. TSA is trying to reach out to individuals and families where cultural and related factors may inhibit understanding of the condition by providing information. TSA hopes to offer information and services to many more children, families and individuals in this way. Presentations at national organizations such as the National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc and the National Medical Association have helped reach underserved communities.
The partnership has afforded TSA to develop and distribute widely a range of materials, in a variety of formats. These materials help to improve awareness of the disorder and promote positive responses and understanding among professionals and in the community.
A range of exciting new initiatives has been proposed for the sixth year. Sections of the TSA website will be translated into one or more languages, new email communications and video productions are in the works. Web-based education sessions are in development with a view towards reaching more interested parties in new ways.
Program flyers will be posted shortly on TSA's website. |
