More than 320 people gathered in Alexandria, Virginia for the15th biannual National TSA Conference from April 1-6. People came from across the U.S. and around the world to learn more about TS, connect with other families and to experience an environment in which TS is the norm and no one ever needs to explain a tic.

Seminars were divided into five distinct tracks: Medical and Behavioral; Education Advocacy; Adult/Young Adult and Teen and Special Topics. A special daylong seminar focusing on the needs of the Newly Diagnosed was held as part of the pre-conference offerings, and featured TSA Medical Advisory Board Chair Dr. John Walkup. Chapter Leadership Trainings, the Youth Ambassador Program and the TSA Annual Trip to the Hill were also part of the pre-conference schedule.

Conference Fun
Highlights included: a fun Meet & Greet Thursday evening with a DJ and Karaoke (where everyone enjoyed many talented and enthusiastic singers!), a jam session featuring piano jazz master and TSA Board Member Michael Wolff, TSA Board Member and the banquet master of ceremonies, Paul Devore on sax, Matt Giordano on drums followed by singer Rick Fowler on guitar; Matt Giordano’s drumming circle; a tour of Washington, D.C.; screenings of the new film, “Phoebe in Wonderland”; the Awards Banquet; books signings by Elaine Shimberg, Brad Cohen and Louis Centanni; and an off-site camp for kids.

The Trip to the Hill
This annual trip to the Capitol is always a highlight of the conference. Chapter leaders, parents and children put a human face on the disorder and help lawmakers understand the importance of legislation that has a direct impact on people with TS and related disorders. The TSA Public Policy office arranged for over 100 meetings, where 154 folders of information on TS were distributed to Congressmen, Senators and their staffers. Representatives from 27 chapters participated (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, Wisconsin and Wyoming.)

Two special Trips to the Hill were made by delegations led by TSA Board Member Marcie Kirkpatrick Lipsitz who presented TSA’s 2007 and 2008 TSA Public Policy Awards to Representatives Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) in their offices. The group that met with Congresswoman McCarthy included TSA Board Member Rovena Schirling and her son Alex; TSA President Judit Ungar, TSA Director of Public Policy Elridge Proctor; and TSA Legislative Associate John Yi. Texas Chapter Members Sheryl Kadmon, Dianne Migl, Emil, Ron and Riley Stark joined Judit Ungar, Elridge Proctor and John Yi to honor Pete Sessions.

The Trip to the Hill day culminated with the 4th annual TSA Congressional Reception held in the Capitol Building, where Congressmen and staffers gathered to meet TSA leadership, youth ambassadors and families to learn and hear firsthand accounts about living with TS.

Chapter Leadership Training
Each year, chapter and regional chairs, key volunteers, staff, and support group leaders come together for expert-led, volunteer-facilitated workshops that deliver practical “how to” tactics for improved TSA mission delivery. This year’s agenda was developed by a small committee of TSA chapter chairs and staff, and included sessions on membership development and retention; strategic planning, Board development & successorship planning; a demonstration of the new TSA Educator In-Service program, and a panel discussion on new and unique service models.

Youth Ambassador Leadership Training
Longtime TSA supporters Darryl and Diane Mallah helped expand the Youth Ambassador Program by underwriting the training for one child and one parent/guardian from every chapter. The children (ages 14 and older) and adult partners learned how to make age-appropriate presentations about TS and how to train other Ambassadors at home. The Youth Ambassadors participated in the Trip to the Hill, meeting with legislators and their aides.

Speakers
The extraordinary line-up of expert speakers brought information, experience and insight to attendees of all four tracks. Presenters included: Peter Hollenbeck, Ph.D., Colin Shoff and Evan Trost, M.D. speaking on “Navigating the Teen Years & Looking Beyond”; Marge Henning on “Stocking the Tool Box for School Success”; Kathy Giordano, Sandra Hollis and Judy Peterson on “Education Alternatives”; Don Gilbert, M.D. and Katie Kompoliti, M.D. on “Latest Treatments & Related Issues for TS and Co-Morbid Disorders”; Duncan McKinlay, Ph.D. on “Self Advocacy & Self Esteem for Teens”; “Executive Function” by Sarah Crowther; a “parent panel Q&A” addressing teen issues was lead by Rovena Schirling, Dorene Shoff and Jane Zwilling; “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tics” by Douglas Woods, Ph.D.; “TS in the Media” presented by Tracy Colletti-Flynn and Louis Centanni; and “Q & A” panel discussions facilitated by Don Donin and Evan Trost, M.D.

Art Program for Teens
New this year was an art program for teens. Dallas, TX-based artist Morgan Pace took teens on a creative journey, where they learned how to sketch, draw, and paint, or improve on existing skills. TSA thanks Niki Hardin and Sunrise-Tourette, Inc. for brining this art program to the Conference, and Laurie Pace, Morgan’s mother and an artist and teacher, for designing the two-day art program. The art program was so well received that an expanded arts program is being considered for the 2010 Conference.

Exhibitors
Exhibitors contributed to the Conference experience by providing additional information and resources to our attendees. 2008 Exhibitors included GATE Pharmaceuticals, College Living Experience, Johns Hopkins University, Landmark College, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tourette Syndrome Camp Organization, Inc., TSA Youth Ambassador Program, Sunrise-Tourette, Inc., TSA Greater Washington DC Chapter, TSA of Pennsylvania, TSA of Georgia, TSA of Greater New York State, the Brain Bank, Autism Asperger Publishing Co., and The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. Being a conference exhibitor is a great way to have your business or organization reach out to families and individuals at the largest national conference for people affected by Tourette Syndrome

TSA Award Ceremony and Banquet
The Award Ceremony and Banquet are perennial highpoints of the conference. The music and moving speeches didn’t overshadow the serious business of recognizing individual accomplishments and efforts. The TSA National Youth Recognition Award was renamed The Zak Hollis National Youth Recognition Award in honor of Zak Hollis, who passed away in 2007. Zak’s parents, Sandra and Mike Hollis, accepted the award posthumously for Zak.

Wendy Anne Ochsman Award 2008: Ruth Perou, Team Leader, Child Studies Development, National Center for Brain Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Zak Hollis Award 2007: Devin Murphy
Zak Hollis Award 2008: Joshua Erickson
Zak Hollis Award Special Mentions: Nathan Joyal, Daniel Viehland and Joey Pelletier
Distinguished Volunteer Award 2007: Patricia Eagen
Distinguished Volunteer Award 2008: Marge Henning
Distinguished Educator Award 2007: James Nelson Robinson
Distinguished Educator Award 2008: Marilyn Trichon
Honorable Mentions for the Distinguished Educator Award: Dr. Virginia Macentee and Dr. Shirley Wells

The next TSA National Conference will be held in the spring of 2010.