Stuttering and Tourette Syndrome

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Speech Pathology and Tourette’s Syndrome

From: Peter Reitzes
Date: 10/4/03
Time: 5:59:15 AM
Remote Name: 4.35.85.156

Comments

I really enjoyed reading this paper. I am surprised that this topic is not more widely discussed in the speech pathology world.

I have two good buddies (brothers) who are in their thirties and have Tourette’s Syndrome. One of the brothers attempts to hide it much like a stutterer might hide their stuttering. His tics come out in subtle ways such as making a comment that is not outrageous, but somewhat inappropriate. His brother feels the need to let his tics (nasal snorting, head twitching) out because he explains that the pressure builds and builds until he can’t stand it anymore.

I have frequently spoken to these two friends about Tourette’s, stuttering, and speech therapy and they have always considered speech therapy for people with Tourette’s to be controversial. They have shared with me that while over the years they have tried numerous mediations, speech therapy or other types of therapy or counseling was not even considered for them as young children or young adults.

Why does speech pathology seem so reluctant to work with people with Tourette’s Syndrome?


Last changed: September 12, 2005