#giveatic for Tourette Syndrome
A donation from you will ensure that Kiwis living with Tourette Syndrome are supported now.
Your signature on the petition to have Tourette Syndrome recognised as a disability will ensure they are supported in the future.
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The Tourette’s Association of New Zealand (TANZ) provides a wide range of services to hundreds of people in New Zealand, both young and old, suffering from Tourette Syndrome (TS).
Every day these people live a life that few people can comprehend or sometimes even understand. We need your help to ensure that we can be there to support, encourage and educate those not only suffering but their family, friends, educators and health service providers, both now and in the future.
Your donation, no matter how big or small, makes a difference to someone’s life. It might allow for one more information pack to be sent to a school or it may allow for another family to attend Camp Twitch.
Please support TANZ today. Donations of $5 or more qualify for a tax credit in New Zealand.
You can safely donate using any of the following methods:
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Make a donation via your credit card by filling out your information below. Donations of $5 or more qualify for a tax credit in New Zealand.
You can make a payment directly into our bank account
Tourette’s Association New Zealand 02-0865-0077699-01.
(Please use your name as a reference).
If you support us in this way, please contact us by email [email protected] with the following information so that we can provide you with a Receipt and Thank You.
- Your name (or organisation/workplace name)
- Your postal address
- Amount deposited
- Date deposited
- Your contact phone number
- Your email address (this is so we can email your Receipt/Thank You and save TANZ money!)
You can also make a regular donation through your employer
The benefit is that you will receive an immediate tax credit of 33.3% on all Payroll Giving Donations instead of waiting until the end of the tax year to claim. Ask your Employer if they offer Payroll Giving. We can provide the necessary information you require.
Please email [email protected] for more information.
FAQS
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterised by vocal and motor tics that range from mild to extreme in severity. Individuals can have singular tics, however both vocal and motor tics have to have been present for at least a year for an individual to be diagnosed with TS.
Why is it called Tourette Syndrome?
The syndrome is named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French physician and neurologist. He was credited with defining the syndrome in 1885 after spending many years studying why certain people displayed sudden twitches and vocalisations.
What causes TS?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a genetic, neurological disorder that occurs during childhood. Not all children that inherit the TS gene display the traits that are associated with the disorder. Boys more commonly inherit the gene associated with TS. The ratio of girls vs. boys being diagnosed with TS is 1:4.
Is there a cure for Tourette’s?
No. At the moment the exact gene and neurons that cause TS are not known so there is no cure. Medication can in some cases help with suppressing the tics associated with TS.
Do the tics go away?
Remission can occur in adulthood. Some literature reports that 1/3 of adults have no tics; 1/3 still occasionally have mild tics and 1/3 will continue to have the same level of tics.
How many children in New Zealand are diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome?
The New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders endorses the Australian Tourette Syndrome Association statistics of 1:1000 children having TS. Not all of those with TS will be diagnosed with TS due to the mild nature of their symptoms.
Is Tourette’s a mental health disorder?
No, TS is not categorised as a mental health disorder. However many of the disorders that co-exist with TS like ADHD, OCD or depression are recognised mental health disorders and the psychological impact or issues associated with TS are treatable by mental health practitioners.
Does everyone who has TS swear?
No. Only a small percentage of those diagnosed with TS have coprolalia – an extreme vocal tic that causes the person to repeat inappropriate words.
What does ‘comorbid’ mean?
This term is used when a disease or disorder occurs simultaneously with another disease or disorder.
Will having TS shorten my lifespan?
Those diagnosed with TS can expect to live to normal life expectancy.

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