Welcome back to The UpTic! As 2024 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on the incredible conversations we’ve had this year and the powerful insights shared by our guests. In this special highlights episode, we revisit some of the standout moments from the season, featuring discussions on occupational therapy, neurodiversity advocacy, groundbreaking research, and more.

Dive into inspiring stories, actionable advice, and cutting-edge research that not only demystify TS but also shine a light on the strength and resilience of the TS community. Press play and hear from parents, researchers, advocates, and professionals who’ve shared their experiences and wisdom with us throughout the year.

Episode Highlights:
[0:00] – Opening Reflections: Reflecting on the mission of the podcast and the unique diversity of Tourette Syndrome cases.
[3:20] – Empowering Through Occupational Therapy: Practical life tools for TS management with Shannon Floyd and Jan Rowe.
[4:59] – Empathy in Action: Nurse Jillian Firenze shares how laughter and support from her parents shaped her journey.
[6:29] – Parenting with Positivity: Insights from Rena and Maggie LaSalle on minimizing stress and building a support system for children with TS.
[9:37] – Advocating Unapologetically: Harvard freshman Slayton Cooper discusses the importance of owning your needs and advocating for them confidently.
[12:00] – Breaking the Feedback Loop: Dr. Angie Landeros-Weisenberger explains the brain's sensory gating system and the science of habit reversal.
[14:23] – Shaping the Home Environment: Drs. Jeremy and Jeff Lichtman, father and son psychologists who discuss what worked in their home environment.
[19:30] – Do You Tick in Your Sleep?: Occupational therapist Ben Mooney explores the connection between sleep and overall well-being in TS management.
[23:57] – Understanding TS Through Habits: Drs. Jay and Max Tischfield discuss the role of habit formation in TS and their cutting-edge research with Tourette mice.
[31:15] – Holistic Approaches to Care: Drs. Lori Rockmore and Dr. Daniela Colognori emphasize the power of attitude and family support in shaping a child’s long-term outlook.
[34:04] – Managing Public Perception: Dr. Robert Zambrano on navigating social situations and building resilience in individuals with TS.

Links & Resources:
Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.

Send us a text

Support the show

Joining me this week are two incredible guests from the NJCTS Community Connections program: Peyton Estabrook, a long-time participant, and Alina Lawas Osborn, the program coordinator. In this episode, we discuss how creating safe spaces for people with Tourette Syndrome can foster connection, reduce isolation, and empower individuals to thrive. From the challenges of starting new communities to the creative solutions that bring people together, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone looking to build or find a community of their own.

Episode Highlights:

[0:29] - Introducing Peyton and Alina: leaders in community building at NJCTS.
[2:20] - Alina shares how she came full circle from a Community Connections member to program coordinator.
[5:18] - Peyton talks about overcoming self-consciousness and the value of finding a safe space.
[8:14] - How connecting with others in marginalized groups fosters empowerment and strength.
[11:18] - Zoom meetings versus in-person events: the strengths and limitations of each format.
[13:11] - Strategies for building community in the digital age and the decline of “third spaces.”
[19:04] - Ideas for improving virtual community events, including breakout groups and “fast friends” sessions.
[27:11] - Finding hope and resilience through community and learning from others’ experiences.
[30:29] - Alina’s advice for approaching new groups with curiosity and breaking patterns of isolation.
[36:03] - Final reflections on building community as an ongoing, collaborative process.

Links & Resources:

Guests:

• Alina Lawas Osborn - Program Coordinator for NJCTS
• Peyton Estabrook - Community Connections member

The next community connections is on December 16 at 7pm ET. Listeners can register here: https://njcts.org/event/community-connections-for-adults-with-ts-10/

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.

Send us a text

Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lori Rockmore and Dr. Daniela Colognori, two clinical psychologists with extensive experience treating individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) and related conditions. Both have a rich history of working at the Rutgers TS Clinic, where they gained invaluable insights into providing holistic, family-focused care. Throughout our conversation, we discuss their personal journeys into the field, how their practice has evolved, and the incredible strengths they see in their patients.

We discuss what it means to offer holistic treatment, going beyond the tics themselves to address broader issues like school performance, family dynamics, and other comorbid conditions such as OCD and anxiety. Dr. Rockmore and Dr. Colognori share stories of resilience, the importance of seeing the whole person, and how families play a crucial role in supporting individuals with TS.

Episode Highlights:
[01:17] – Dr. Rockmore shares how her work in Tourette began, sparked by her collaboration with Dr. Kathy Budman.
[03:57] – Dr. Colognori recounts how she was "randomly" placed in the Rutgers TS program and ended up working alongside Dr. Rockmore.
[06:49] – Holistic care explained: Addressing the patient as a whole, including family, school challenges, and comorbidities like OCD and anxiety.
[09:34] – Dr. Rockmore and Dr. Colognori discuss the strengths of children with TS, emphasizing their talents beyond their tics.
[12:45] – Exploring the challenges and rewards of training students to treat TS, and how the Rutgers program equips them for treating complex conditions.
[20:17] – Practical advice: Dr. Rockmore and Dr. Colognori outline how they prioritize interventions based on functional impairments and patient input.
[24:20] – Advice to patients with Tourette’s: "Tics are just one part of who you are—pursue your passions and live your life to the fullest."

Links & Resources:

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.

Send us a text

Support the show