It’s not easy to be a parent under any circumstances, and it’s certainly more difficult with a condition like Tourette’s. Although it has gained more mainstream media exposure, there are still many people who are unaware of what it entails. And when children and teenagers eventually show symptoms, parents can be caught off guard. It’s potentially very shocking at the very least, a source of concern for a lot of parents. But the good news is more research is coming out every year and you are certainly not alone. As a parent with a teenager who has Tourette’s, it’s important to know there are support systems and guidance to help you out. You should never feel like you have to handle the situation by yourself or that it somehow your fault.

There are still a lot of misconceptions regarding Tourette’s and how to handle the situation. Unfortunately, there are parents out there whose first response is to think that their child is faking it. Thankfully, the number of parents in this category is diminishing, but they’re still out there. You have to remember that this is a very real condition and it’s not just something in the mind. You can’t talk a teenager out of the problem, and it’s virtually impossible to fake it for a long period of time.

It’s important to empathize with your team and try to put yourself in their shoes. They have been aware of their condition far before you have, since they have grown up with it. So while you might not have noticed what was going on, they have been living it each and every day. It can be veryisolating and make them feel like an outcast even when surrounded by friends. It makes social situations awkward and happens to be a big source of embarrassment. And when you add in other teenage problems such as homework, how to get rid of acne, and going on your first date, a can be incredibly overwhelming.

Your job as a parent is to find the best resources possible while providing emotional support. There are physicians out there who can help to ease symptoms, and they can be great sources of education as well. The best thing you can do is to learn as much as possible so that your teenager has someone to turn to.