Tourette Syndrome (TS) also has an impact on family members and friends. In addition to reading the information about TS available on this Website, here are some other suggestions that may be helpful to the family and friends of a child with TS.

* Explain Tourette Syndrome to family and friends. You could use any of the information on the Planet Tic Website to help you. Try to answer any of their questions. Provide them with places to go for more information.

* Talk with them about how everyone is a little different. Some people wear glasses, have brown hair, and so forth. Your child just happens to have TS.

* Make sure to explain that TS is not contagious or life-threatening.

* Give them an activity to do to understand what it is like to have TS. Have a staring contest where you cannot blink. After a while, they will just have to blink. That's what it is like to have a tic.

* If they are interested, they could contact the local TSAO chapter for more information or to volunteer.