| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Special Needs Homeschooling Learning Disabilities Homeschooling with Tourette's Syndrome and/or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Tourette Syndrome is a hereditary neurological disorder which causes a child to repeat certain actions or sounds on a regular basis. These repeated actions or sounds, called "tics", often include such things as eye blinking, throat-clearing, sniffing, nodding, jerking, jumping, yelping, or saying a word or phrase. A child may repeat the same action or sound or a combination of them, every once in a while, or very frequently. It is important to know that even though some childen with Tourette's may be able to "put off" or suppress the tics for a short period of time, they are not able to control them long-term. They cannot "just stop doing it". Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder. An obsession is a recurrent, persistent idea, thought, or image. Obsessive thoughts are often about a worrisome topic or event and cause the child great anxiety, fill them with troublesome doubt, or even cause them to panic. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, such as arranging things in a particular order, straightening things, "re-checking" things, excessive hand-washing, touching or smelling things, or having to “even up” (such as tap one foot, then the other). A child with OCD feels that he or she is "doing what is needed" or preventing something bad from happening with their actions. For example, by re-checking that the door is locked (over and over) they can finally feel "safe". By going thru a certain "ritual" of behavior, they can keep an unpleasant obsessive thought from coming back for a time. These rituals only provide temporary relief, and a person may end up spending a large portion of their day completing them, or getting "stuck" in rituals. There is some overlap between symptoms of OCD and TS ( the complusions of OCD can be similar to the tics of TS) and some children are diagnosed as having both TS and OCD. Tourette's and OCD are not "learning disorders" but these conditions can certainly affect a student's ability to learn. Tics and rituals may interfere with a child's ability to pay attention and hear instructions, tics may make tasks that involve motor control more difficult and time- consuming, and both tics and rituals may disrupt the continuity of lessons, requiring more time to cover scheduled materials. Fortunately, one of the benefits of homeschooling is that children can move at their own pace, and lessons can be spread out over as much time as is needed. Answers can be given orally, and parents can act as scribes to write down children's answers or take dictation for papers. Parents can read aloud to their child or use books on tape, which can be played back if a part is missed. Children with TS may be more willing to try new tasks and be more comfortable speaking aloud when surrounded by understanding family members. Homeschooled children are free to move around as they work -- rituals and tics can be accommodated, instead of a child trying to suppress them for hour-long class periods. This may help to reduce a child's stress level and avoid the exhaustion that avoidance/supression can cause. Many families have found homeschooled children, in general, to be more accepting of other children with differences, and you may actually find that your child is more comfortable in homeschool playgroups that he or she was at school. Each group has it's own dynamics, of course, and you may need to try a few groups to find the best match. (see the Homeschool Diner Support Group Primer for more info on finding support groups or starting your own) Online Resources for TS Tourette Syndrome Association -- general info and resources Growing Up with Tourette's -- a website for kids Beyond the Tics: Other Symptoms of TS and Associated Conditions this article, originally from Pediatric Nursing, summarizes some additional issues common to those with TS and/or OCD, such as peer and parent relationships, rages, and school problems. (there is a free registration process to access articles). Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Creativity: Do Tics Do More Than Just Tick You Off? by John Machold -- explores creativity in those with TS and OCD, cites studies showing that creative endeavors may satisfy the same areas of the brain involved with TS and OCD behavior Tourette Syndrome -- Now What? Message Board -- online support for parents, many topics Homeschooling Our Tourette's Kid -- a mother's blog HS-Plus -- a group for those homeschooling children with Tourette's, OCD, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar, and many other disorders and differences Homeschooling Extraordinary Kids -- if your child is very bright, as well as having TS or OCD, you may find it helpful to join this group as well Resources for OCD Step on a Crack... a brief intro to OCD from the NIMH What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? from the NIMH Obsessive Compulsive Foundation -- info and resources HS-Plus -- a group for those homeschooling children with Tourette's, OCD, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar, and many other disorders and differences Homeschooling Extraordinary Kids -- if your child is very bright, as well as having TS or OCD, you may find it helpful to join this group as well Related Issues More about Anxiety Disorders from the NIMH Why People Hoard -- all about the hoarding tendency associated with in OCD and other disorders Perfectionism |