Tourette Mom Truths with Mindy

08/27/2026

The more you know

Tourette Syndrome is so much more than tics. ⬇️

Many people living with TS also navigate co-occurring conditions like , , , and more. Beyond co-occurring conditions, TS can involve symptoms that don't get talked about nearly enough: trouble with emotional regulation, sensory sensitivities, sleep issues, executive functioning struggles, and more. These aren't just "extra" - they're often parts of TS that affect individuals daily.

Learn more at tourette.org

08/27/2026

To the parent who just got the diagnosis and feels like the floor dropped out — I see you. 💛

Tourette Syndrome isn’t something we “fix.” It’s something our families learn to live with, advocate for, and eventually find strength in. The tics are the visible part. What people don’t see is the exhaustion, the IEP meetings, the stares in the grocery store, and the fierce love that keeps us showing up anyway.

If you’re new here — welcome. This page exists so no TS parent has to feel like they’re figuring it out alone. Drop a 💛 if you’re walking this road too, and let’s build a community where our kids (and us) never have to feel invisible.

08/26/2026

There’s a movie about Tourette’s on Netflix, and I need every parent, teacher, and stranger who’s ever stared to watch it. 🎬

“I Swear” tells the true story of a man who lived with severe Tourette Syndrome and fought to be seen as more than his tics. It’s not the sitcom version — it’s the exhaustion, the stares, the fight for basic respect that so many of our families know firsthand.

Real awareness starts with real stories. Add it to your watchlist this week.

Tag someone who needs to see this, and share it if you believe awareness starts with understanding. 👇

06/09/2026

Due to recent events weighing heavily on me, my updates have been sporadic. Nonetheless, I remain committed to highlighting the significance of TS awareness and providing support to those who are impacted.

05/28/2026

Great way to support the Tourette's cause.

05/26/2026

Causes of Tourette's 🔬
What Causes TS?

💡 Key Fact: Tourette's is strongly genetic and linked to dopamine pathways — it is not caused by parenting or vaccines.

🔬 DAY 11 | What CAUSES Tourette Syndrome?

The short answer: it's complex. But here's what science knows:

🧬 GENETICS: TS is highly heritable. If a parent has TS, a child has a 50% chance of inheriting a gene variant — though not everyone who inherits the gene develops TS.

🧠 BRAIN CHEMISTRY: Abnormalities in dopamine pathways and the basal ganglia (the brain's movement control center) are strongly linked to TS.

⚠️ ENVIRONMENT: Prenatal factors (infections, stress, low birth weight) may play a role.

❌ It is NOT caused by bad parenting, diet, vaccines, or trauma.

05/26/2026

Talking to Kids 👦
Explaining Tourette's to Children
💡 Key Fact: Teaching children to respond with empathy — not staring or laughing — starts with giving them simple, clear explanations.

👦 DAY 10 | How to explain Tourette's to your kids.

Kids are naturally curious. If they notice someone's tics, use it as a TEACHING moment — not a shushing moment.

Try saying:

💬 "Their brain sends signals to their body that make it move or make sounds. They can't stop it, just like you can't stop a hiccup. It doesn't hurt them, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with them."

💬 "The kind thing to do is keep playing/talking with them like normal. That's how we show respect."

Kids are capable of incredible empathy when given the right words. Give them those words. 💙

05/26/2026

I'll be honest I fell behind posting this weekend. I think, mentally, I just needed to take a break and relax. So I'll play catch-up and post the facts that I missed since I know they are still important to share

Tics Wax & Wane 🌙
How Tics Change Over Time

💡 Key Fact: Tics naturally change in type and intensity — they wax and wane, often getting worse with stress or fatigue

🌙 DAY 9 | A huge thing people don't understand about TS: tics CHANGE.

Tics aren't static. They:

🔄 Change in TYPE over time (new tics appear, old ones fade)
📈 Wax and wane in SEVERITY (better some weeks, worse others)
😓 Get WORSE with stress, excitement, fatigue, or illness
😌 May be LESS noticeable when the person is focused or relaxed

This is why someone might seem "fine" one day and be having a very hard time the next — and why people sometimes wrongly accuse them of faking.

Variability is part of the condition. Believe them. 💙

05/25/2026

With the US launch of "I Swear," audiences across the country will learn about and undoubtedly have questions. For the 50% of people living with TS who don't have a diagnosis, many will be looking for answers and support. Providing these answers and supporting this community is central to the TAA's mission. To that end, we created an informational page to help audiences of the film access free resources and learn more: 🔗 tourette.org/i-swear

We invite you to explore and share these resources.

05/22/2026

Day 8 of Tourette’s Awareness Month 💙
Co-occurring conditions deserve more attention and understanding.

What many people don’t realize is that Tourette’s often comes alongside ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, sensory challenges, and more.

For many families, those struggles can impact daily life even MORE than the tics themselves.

As a mom, I’ve learned that supporting a child with Tourette’s means learning to support the whole picture — emotionally, mentally, socially, and physically.

Awareness matters because understanding changes how we treat people. 💙