TSA's Youth Ambassador Program trains teens to talk about TS. The program gives
young people with TS, their siblings, friends and classmates the preparation they
need to speak about TS before their peers at school, sports leagues, scout troops,
camps and after school programs.

What is the Youth Ambassador Program?

The TSA Youth Ambassadors Program began in 2005, and has become an ever-expanding group of teens with TS (and their siblings, friends and classmates) who speak about Tourette syndrome to their peers at school, sports leagues, scout troops, camps and after school programs. The purpose of the program is to spread tolerance of and understanding about TS. The teen and their adult parent or guardian comprise a YA Team – with the teen giving presentations and the adult helping with scheduling and other arrangements.

The Youth Ambassador Program trains teens to advocate for themselves and for others and to provide their peers and younger children with accurate information by going into classrooms, schools and clubs to teach understanding, sensitivity and tolerance of TS and its symptoms while displacing the myths and stereotypes that are often attributed to and associated with this misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder.

  Youth Ambassadors appear in the media and assist with fundraising and awareness raising campaigns.
  Youth Ambassadors will find there are many personal benefits as well, such as learning to work as team members and developing increased confidence in public speaking.
  Youth Ambassadors learn skills that they will use for the rest of their lives and at the same time are helping to enlighten new generations about Tourette syndrome.

Youth Ambassador Requirements
  The Youth Ambassador must be between 13 and 17 years old
  The Youth Ambassador may or may not have a diagnosis of TS
  The Youth Ambassador must be paired with an adult who will take on the responsibility of helping with the program, schedule and outreach. These are typically teen/parent teams, however the adult does not need to be a YA’s parent (could be another family member, neighbor, teacher, etc).
  Youth Ambassadors must have a clear understanding of Tourette syndrome. You will be trained, however you must accept responsibility to become proficient in and comfortable with speaking about Tourette syndrome
  Facility with public speaking and good written skills are required
  Good interpersonal skills and patience dealing with others is a must
  Must be a member of TSA! If you are not a member, it is very easy to become one. Please visit: http://www.tsa-usa.org/give/give2.html#membership

How to become a TSA Youth Ambassador:

Contact your local Chapter, Affiliated Support Group or contact TSA if you meet the requirements to be a Youth Ambassador and are interested in becoming one. There is an annual YA Leadership Training Program which will prepare you to become a Youth Ambassador.

The 2012 Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program will take place April 17-19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. For more information, click here and for an application, click here. All applications must be submitted no later than Friday, December 30, 2011. Those teams selected to represent their area as Conference delegates will be notified by Friday, January 20, 2012. Unless otherwise instructed, your completed application should be submitted to your local Chapter. If you do not have a chapter or have other questions please contact the TSA Field Services office at (718) 224-2999 ext. 251 or email sandra.holland@tsa-usa.org.

Youth Ambassador Resources:

Youth Ambassadors receive a Kit at the yearly YA Leadership Training Program. For more information on how to attend, please click here.

For current Youth Ambassadors:
  Peer Presentation Outline

  Peer Presentation Slide Show (follows above Outline) -
             - PowerPoint
             - PDF

  1-Page handout for class (Print enough for all attending)

  Visual Aids (Print out, set up in front of class)

  Download the Video

  Download the Audio Only

Youth Ambassador Updates:

Click here to submit a Youth Ambassador Activity Report Form

Winter 2011 - Youth Ambassador Graduate Program and Youth Ambassadors on the Move
Fall 2011 - Youth Ambassadors on the Move
Summer 2011 - 4 page Special Youth Ambassador Insert to "That Darn Tic" (pages 3-6)
Summer 2011 - Youth Ambassadors on the Move
Summer2011 Update
Spring 2011
Winter 2010
Fall 2010
Summer 2010 Special Youth Ambassador Insert to "That Darn Tic"
Spring 2010
Fall 2009
Summer 2009
Spring 2009
Winter 2008