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"do you tic in your sleep" literally how would I know

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Just a reminder that having tics doesn’t make someone “cute”

Having tics isn’t all “hehe I can’t believe I just said that” or “I’m just so quirky”

They are something that affects the daily life of those living with them, they can be painful and very draining

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PLEASE include people with tic disorders in your conversations about neurodivergency! They are so much more than just tics.

Tourette's has so many overlapping symptoms with ADHD that many people go misdiagnosed with ADHD when they actually have a minor form of tourette's. About 90% of those with tourettes also meet the criteria for ADHD.

Tourette's is highly associated with OCD, which is also part of the neurodivergency umbrella.

Other parts of tourette's that aren't tics:

Sleep issues

Rage and impulse control

Sensory processing issues

Deficit of social skills and functioning

Learning disability

Anxiety

These are all parts of tourette's but not everyone with tourettes experiences all of these. Many people with tic disorders may not even know they experience it and have been misdiagnosed with autism or ADHD. It is so vital to include tourette's and provisional or persistent tic disorder in your posts about neurodivergency, so more people are aware of the impact it can have on people and see it as more than just the cussing disorder.

Please do not use this post to self diagnose do your own research if you must but if you have tics please see a neurologist.

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Me: Mom, can we have two rats?

Mom: We already have two rats at home.

Two rats at home:

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What NOT to say to someone with tics

About a year ago I asked for people with tics/Tourette's to send me things not to say to people with tics. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post this.

"I'm so sorry" - this could make someone feel bad about being disabled and it feels condescending

"Well you don't look like you have Tourette's" - Tourette's doesn't have a look and not all disabilities are visible

"Just relax" - being relaxed doesn't necessarily make tics go away

"Stop hitting yourself" - don't you think I would if I could.

"Have you tried yoga" - yoga wont magically make someone's tics go away

"But I didn't see you tic" - tics fluctuate so just because you didn't see someone tic doesn't mean they are faking

"You have tics, do you swear?!" - not everyone with tics has coprolalia and its a stereotype that all people with tics swear

"Can you stop that please" - tics are involuntary, someone can't just stop having a tic because you find it annoying

"So you can say whatever you want and not get in trouble" - this is just not true at all, people with Tourette's face a lot of discrimination because they can't control what they say and people think they are faking so they can be rude

"Well if you take medication, why aren't your tics gone?" - medication doesn't make tics go away fully

"Can you tic *insert word/movement here* for me?" - this is just so rude!!

"I wish I had tics" - even if you mean this in a positive way, it is still really disrespectful

There are so many more not on this list as well!

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Why are you barking? Tourette's? No dude I got that dawg in me

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people are 'fine' with people with tic disorders until we're not entertaining enough.

until we're not 'cute' or 'interesting' enough of a freak for them.

and then they kick us to the curb when they've had their fucking fill. and I'm so damn tired of it

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10 Tips for people with klazomania (screaming tics)

1, and this is one that has changed my life: if you have very frequent shouting/screaming tics, DO VOCAL WARMUPS! I used to consistently lose my voice at the end of every day before I started doing this. There are plenty of short and simple warmup tutorials online- find one that works for you!

2, if you live in an apartment building, make sure to tell your neighbors. You don't need to explicitly tell them you have TS, but make sure they know you make loud sounds frequently so they're not concerned. Putting a sign on your door also works. Remember: in the USA it is illegal for landlords to evict someone solely because of a disability.

3, if you're heading off to college and plan on living in a dormitory you might want to request not having a roommate. If you are already diagnosed with a tic disorder, it should be easy to do this through your college's disability services office. If you would like to have a roommate make sure they understand your tics.

4, if you are planning on going out (to a restaurant, theme park, museum, etc.) you might want to call the staff of the location to inform them you have tics a few days before. I usually call ahead to restaurants to let them know about my klazomania and coprolalia tics and I've found that doing so makes it easier for both parties.

5, going off of 4, if you're going to a theme park or large museum and plan to suppress at least part of the time, get a map and mark off secluded places where you can safely let your tics out.

6, if you'd like you can bring a stuffed animal out in public with you: both for emotional support and to muffle the sound of loud tics.

7, if you're a middle or high school student, email your teachers to let them know about your tics. If you have moderate/severe tics it was very important to me that I gave a presentation to each of my classes at the beginning of each semester to teach them about my TS. Another accommodation that I got in high school was being allowed to zoom into my classes instead of attending in person: So on bad tic days I would stay home, and my teachers would broadcast the class over zoom for me.

8, drink lots of water and purchase a humidifier if possible. At the end of a long day drinking fluid and being in a more humid environment will help to soothe your voice. Herbal tea with honey or mild broths can also help soothe your voice!

9, have a good network of friends who understand and support you. This is no easy feat and can take years but it will have a huge impact on your quality of life. Join a support group (IRL or online) to talk to other people with tics who understand what you're going through, and find people who share your hobbies and interests!

10, remember that your tics don't define who you are! It is not your fault that you have tics, and you are not doing them on purpose. Don't feel guilty for something you have no control over. You deserve to live a happy and fulfilling life just like anyone else!

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tourettes is funny and all until i have a tic attack, then i need to Die

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Being disabled is wanting to do your hobbies and do fun things when you're finally not working but having to spend most of your time in bed because you're utterly exhausted, fatigued, ridiculously and constantly tired.

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The "you only ever talk about your disability!" crowd will never not be funny to me. Yes of course I only talk about my disability on the blog I made exclusively to talk about my disability

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There's a genuine terror for a certain percentage of us with Tourettes that we may be actually KILLED OR ASSAULTED for ticcing in the wrong time and in the wrong place to the wrong person.

People think we're drunk or on drugs or we mean what we say and somehow that gives them the right to abuse us.

What I say as a tic is ALWAYS out of my control, but your reaction is 1000% in YOUR control.

Do better for those of us with neurological illnesses.

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oooooo you want to support people with TS soooooo bad oooooooo you wanna stop being ableist

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Reminder: You can struggle with your mental health even if you have no medicine or diagnosis. Even if you had a nice childhood. Even if you look put together. Even if you don't have big breakdowns or even if you have a nice life. Even if you're grateful for everything you have. It doesn't work that way.

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my friends started mirroring my tics [as in, i poke them, they poke me] and most of the time is actually kind of funny

but sometimes it just makes me think how annoying living around me can be, especially on a bad tic day 😭

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You know what?

Happy disability month to everyone that hates their disability.

Everyone that wants to be cured. Everyone that's tired of being told of how their disability can be beneficial or a superpower. Everyone that feels broken because of their disability.

And especially happy disability month to people who don't feel pride because of their disability and don't feel like this month is for them because of it.

You are seen. You matter.