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Recommended Books

Why Do You Do That?: A Book about Tourette Syndrome for Children and Young People (by Uttom Chowdhury and Mary Robertson)

Written specifically for siblings of children with Tourette Syndrome (TS), Why Do You Do That? is an age-appropriate source of information for children and adolescents aged 8 to 16.
Uttom Chowdhury and Mary Robertson describe tics and Tourette's in clear, child-friendly terms and provide a simple explanation of the biological causes. Other chapters focus on living with someone who has TS, associated features such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and aggression, and what siblings can do to help. The authors also offer practical tips on how to deal with issues such as problems at school and bullying. This book will prove invaluable for brothers and sisters of children with TS, as well as parents and other family members.

Tic Talk: Living With Tourette Syndrome, a 9-year-old boy's story in his own words (by Dylan Peters)

Dylan Peters has lived with Tourette Syndrome more than half of his young life. Only four years old when he was first diagnosed with TS, Dylan is now nine and ready to enter the fourth grade. What hes learned about tolerance and acceptance during those five years, most of us fail to learn in an entire lifetime. In his own words often humorous, always insightful Dylan helps others, young and old, understand Tourette Syndrome and the enormous pressures this little, mysterious affliction places on those who have it and on those who love them. Illustrated by Dylan’s friend, Zachary Wendland.

Ticked: A Medical Miracle, a friendship, and the weird world of Tourette Syndrome (by James A. Fussell, Jeffrey P. Matovic, and Jeff Foxworthy)

When Jeff Matovic burst into the office of Dr. Robert Maciunas, he had very few options left. Matovic had suffered for years from Tourette Syndrome, his full-body spasms and outbursts getting progressively worse, to the point that he saw suicide as a viable option. Drugs, physical therapy, prayer—nothing was working. But Dr. Maciunas was a pioneer in deep brain stimulation (DBS), a new therapy that had worked to correct other brain disorders. Could it fix Matovic’s Tourette’s? All Matovic had to do was convince Dr. Maciunas that he was a perfect candidate for the procedure. That, and have several electrical leads—a “brain pacemaker”—implanted into his skull.

Author Jim Fussell is uniquely qualified to tell Matovic’s story—he suffers from Tourette Syndrome as well. Fussell’s job as a feature writer for the Kansas City Star brought him in contact with Oprah Winfrey, who first told him about Jeff Matovic, the “Miracle Man.” As Fussell learned about Matovic’s remarkable journey, he vowed to seek him out. This is their story.

The Tyrannosaurus Tic: A boy's adventure with Tourette Syndrome (by Stephen Michael McCall)

This book will inspire teachers, parents, counselors and especially kids! Michael's story unfolds with a new hurdle and difficult situation in each chapter. Told through this brave 12yr old's eyes, each problem and embarrassing tic is dealt with in his own original way, with excuses and humor. The reader will have a better understanding of what young children go through with the on-set of involuntary body movements, also known as tic's. Children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) or other disorders will be able to identify with Michael's struggles and challenges with his classmates and teachers. It informs and engages the reader on facing dilemmas one step at a time. It will increase awareness of TS and gain respect for children that face TS and other problems that are bigger than dinosaurs! Do you know what a Tyrannosaurus Tic is? The Tyrannosaurus Tic "A boy's adventure with Tourette Syndrome: Pre- Diagnosis" is the first book in the Tyrannosaurus Tic Series. The series will take the readers through Michael's thrills, chills, and spills as he grows into adulthood battling life's obstacles. This is a must read book for all ages.

The Tourette's Survival Kit: Tools for Young Adults with Tics (by Tara Murphy and Damon Millar)

Struggling to manage your tics in the classroom? Worried about your tics in a job interview or on a first date? This survival kit will give you the tools to survive and thrive in every location - at home, school, work or out with friends.

Presenting everyday situations, from schools and exams through to driving and dates, this guide provides simple solutions to common problems and concerns. Dr Tara gives her top tips for managing tics, alongside behavioural therapy techniques for stress management and strategies for coping with commonly co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, OCD and anxiety.

My Nonidentical Twin: One ordinary girl. One life-changing condition. How Tourette’s changes your world (by Evie Meg - This Trippy Hippie)

"Hey guys, you might know me already from one of my social media channels where I talk about the highs and lows of living with Tourette's Syndrome. I've loved sharing those times with you and - as there are lots of things I can't fit into a 60 second video - I've decided to write a book! It's the full story of how I came to be diagnosed and how having Tourette's has changed my life. Writing it has given me an opportunity to talk about things I haven't felt ready to share before - for some reason it's easier to put down private things in written words than in a video! 

I hope it'll make you laugh and make you think, and empower you to realise that no matter what you're facing in life, there are always ways to deal with the challenges. It's also so important to me that people understand what life is like with a disability, so we can be compassionate towards each other. I've bared my soul in this book to hopefully help others to do this. I'm so excited (and just a little bit nervous) for you to read it! Evie Meg xxx"
 

This is the heart-rending drama of one family's courage, heartbreak, sacrifice, and triumph in confronting an agonizing medical condition, written by two master storytellers.
Cory Friedman woke up one morning when he was five years old with the uncontrollable urge to twitch his neck and his life was never the same again. From that day forward his life became a hell of uncontrollable tics, urges, and involuntary utterances. Eventually he is diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and Cory embarks on an excruciating journey from specialist to specialist, enduring countless combinations of medications in wildly varying doses. Soon it becomes unclear what tics are symptoms of his disease and what are side effects of the drugs. The only certainty is that it kept getting worse. Against Medical Advice is the true story of one family's decades-long battle for survival in the face of extraordinary difficulties and a rigid medical establishment.

I Am Myself: A Woman Growing Up with Tourette Syndrome (by Theresa Borrelli)

In 'I Am Myself', Theresa Borrelli recounts her journey from a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome in childhood, to a state of acceptance. At first, Theresa developed an attitude that was defensive, and critical of the doctors who treated her. Slowly, as a young adult, she began to assimilate, acknowledge and reconcile her disorder, for which there is no cure.

Though about Tourette Syndrome, I Am Myself offers the reader a universal experience, relatable to the challenges that all of us face at one time or another. This is a memoir that will change your perspective on confronting and overcoming obstacles, prejudices, and struggles. Ms. Borrelli's passage from a young girl to a woman, who can now foresee a brighter future, is chronicled in this inspiring, uplifting book.

Like many people with Tourette syndrome, Troye Evers' symptoms began early in his childhood, but he was not officially diagnosed until he was eighteen years old. He remained in the closet about his diagnosis until his thirties, falsely attempting to pass off his symptoms as the result of bad sleep or a dry throat. After deciding he had enough, he penned a screenplay about his experiences that went on to win third place in the All Access Screen Writing competition. Two years later, he found himself voted on to the board of the Tourette Syndrome Association of New York City. Now using his influence and writing skills, he has collected the stories of seventeen other people, from all walks of life, living with Tourette syndrome. This breakthrough book will dispel several pernicious myths about the disorder. From talking about daily bullying, teasing, mocking, and their fight for acceptance, they open up to the reader, explain how they conquered the fear of honesty, and became strong, confident members of society with a beautiful message," writes Evers. This book is not intended as a medical reference but as an education tool that allows readers to glimpse the lives of others affected by Tourette syndrome. 

Coping with Tourette Syndrome: A Workbook for Kids with Tic Disorders (by Sandra Buffolano)

This professional edition includes both the Instant Help book and a companion CD that offers the complete book and printable worksheets for your clients. Tics are a fact of life for kids with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and related disorders. And for most kids, the symptoms of their disorder aren't even the most frustrating part-others' reactions can make children feel anxious and extremely self-conscious. This practical workbook includes forty activities to help kids with TS, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) understand, prepare for, and mask their tics. Kids will also learn how to best explain their tics to friends and curious strangers using humor, games, or brief scripts they have prepared. The activities in Coping with Tourette Syndrome address managing TS and related disorders in specific situations, such as at school, at the movies, when out to dinner, on special occasions, when visiting friends for sleepovers or parties, when taking tests, and in places of worship. After completing these exercises, kids with TS will have all the tools they need to handle their tics with confidence and grace in any situation.

Med Head: My knock-down, drag-out, drugged-up battle with my brain (by James Patterson and Hal Friedman)

How it FEELS to have a body that won't stop moving, to be really different from everyone else, to be made fun of every day, to be totally reckless, to never relax, to be shut out of everything, to break FREE and TAKE CONTROL.

James Patterson's 'Against Medical Advice' riveted adults with the page-turning drama of one teenager's courage, sacrifice, and triumph in confronting an agonizing medical condition. Now this deeply personal account of Cory Friedman's intense struggles with Tourette's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as well as depression, anxiety, and alcohol addiction, is available for teen readers.

Me and my Tourette's (by Sianna Stodd)

"Hello, I'm Alfie and I have Tourette Syndrome. Here, I explain what it's like to live with TS, w,hat causes my tics and what can make them better or worse. By reading my story, you'll learn to understand the challenges I face everyday and more importantly, what you can do to help me and others like me."

Me and my Tourette's is a lovely and important book that comes from both the head and the heart. Alfie’s story is the story of many thousands of children (and adults) who live with this difficult condition. By explaining Tourette Syndrome, and showing how it feels to live with it, Alfie shows us that having TS is just another way of being different. Me and my Tourette's doesn’t make light of the condition. It can be REALLY hard to cope with. It gives us the facts. It shows us that the hardest part of living with TS can be the reactions of others. And its last words are perhaps the most important: “Always remember to be kind.”

Disclaimer

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All books in the list above are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only and do not imply on the part of Tourette Scotland any endorsement of the information found within. 

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Book recommendations are selected and reviewed periodically. Although we make every effort to ensure these up to date and relevant, please let us know if any have become unavailable.

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