TSA 2012 National Conference
April 19-22, 2012
Celebrating TSA’s 40th Year!
New Location! Hyatt Regency Crystal City – Arlington, VA

Pre-Conference                                                                                                              
Tuesday, April 17 to Thursday, April 19

Leadership Training
TSA Chapter leaders and key volunteers from across the country will arrive in Arlington, VA on the 17th for an informal meet & greet in the evening.

On the 18th, Chapter and Support Group Leaders will be briefed on “best practices” approaches to fundraising, marketing, volunteer development, governance, and more.

That evening, the group will participate in an informational “Trip to the Hill” dinner that will prepare them for the “Trip to the Hill” on Thursday, April 19th.

For more information, click here.

To attend the Leadership Training, please contact your local chapter or affiliated support group. You must be a member of TSA to attend the Leadership Training. To become a TSA member, please click here.

Youth Ambassador Leadership Training
The Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program seeks at least one youth/parent (or adult guardian) team from each TSA chapter (or at least one team per state not served by a TSA chapter) for this program. Youth Ambassador teams will participate in workshops that provide them with tools about how to educate their peers about Tourette syndrome.

Teen/parent teams from across the country will arrive in Arlington, VA on the 17th for an informal meet & greet in the evening.

On the 18th, the Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program, for teen/parent teams, will train teens to advocate for themselves and for others.  They will learn the presentation logistics for going into classrooms, schools and clubs and provide them with the tools for public speaking and guidance on how to give a concise presentation on TS. That evening, the teen/parent teams will participate in an informational “Trip to the Hill” dinner that will prepare them for the “Trip to the Hill” on Thursday, April 19th.

Youth Ambassadors are chosen through an application process. Click here for more information and click here for the application. You must be a member of TSA to attend the Youth Ambassador Training Program. To become a TSA member, please click here.

TSA'S Annual Trip to the Hill - Thursday, April 19
The TSA facilitates an annual “Trip to the Hill” to give its members an opportunity to visit their Congressional Members on Capitol Hill. This event is an exciting and important part of our national conference, gathering folks affected by TS from across the country to participate in Congressional meetings. Between 100-150 Congressional meetings will take place on Thursday, April 19th.

If you are not attending Leadership Training or Youth Ambassador Training Program but would like to register to attend the “Trip to the Hill”, call TSA's Field Services office at 718-224-2999, Ext.251.

Advocacy training is provided during a mandatory pre-conference Conference Call that will take place on Wednesday, March 14th (8 pm EST) and a Trip to the Hill Prep Dinner Wednesday, April 18th with Elridge Proctor, TSA’s VP of Public Policy. All Trip to the Hill participants must attend both to ensure that they have productive and engaging meetings with their members of Congress. Hill appointments must be made in coordination with your local TSA Chapter and/or TSA’s Public Policy Department staff.

For Trip to the Hill attendees:
    • Congressional Briefing Flyer
    • Overview Memo on Trip to the Hill
    • How to Advocate Guidelines
    • Appointment Request Form Letter
    • Thank You and Follow Up Form Letter
    • Link to TSA's Legislative Position Statements

Newly Diagnosed Seminar - Thursday, April 19
The all-day Newly Diagnosed Seminar is for the parents of a recently diagnosed child, recently diagnosed adults/young adults, or anyone attending the TSA National Conference for the first time. This seminar is an exceptional pre-conference program led by TSA Medical Advisory Board Chair, Dr. John Walkup. Dr. Walkup has a special way of sharing insightful suggestions for helping you to understand Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. He will also provide everyday coping strategies and behavioral management tools for with living TS. This seminar will also prepare you for processing, retaining, and applying the immense amount of information disseminated during the General Sessions. The Seminar Registration Fee is $95 for TSA members and $175 for non-members.

National Conference                                                               
Thursday, April 19 to Sunday, April 22

Conference Registration begins
Registration opens on Thursday, April 19th at 2:30 pm for those attending the National Conference April 19-21. Please check in at the TSA registration area in the Potomac Foyer on April 19th.

National Conference General Sessions
National Conference begins Friday morning with a plenary welcome breakfast with the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard Presentation of the Colors, and opening remarks from TSA President Judit Ungar.

General Sessions on Friday and Saturday will include Medical & Behavioral, Education Advocacy, Adult, and Teen tracks addressing a variety of topics and issues. Sessions will be presented by leading professionals and inspiring speakers.

Session topics include Research Update; Impulse Control & Anger Issues, Diagnosing TS - Early on-set OCD and Tics, Treatment Overviews, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Tics, TS & Associated Disorders, Positive Reinforcement and Disciplinary Actions in Schools, Advocacy Strategies, Teen Self Esteem and Self Advocacy, Current Issues Regarding IEPs and 504 Plans, Transitioning, How to give an In-Service presentation, TS & the Media, Panels for adults with TS, parents, teens, and much more.

Scheduled speakers include John Walkup, M.D., Douglas W. Woods, Ph.D., Duncan McKinley, M.D., Kathy Giordano, Ellen Meyers, Judy Peterson, comedienne Chelsea White, Kellie Haines, Matt Giordano, and more!

Schedule Coming Soon!

On Sunday, we wish you a safe trip home with a light breakfast and memories to last a lifetime!

Additional Conference Events

> An Evening with Matt Giordano - Drum Circle for All Ages and 75-Watts
Led by Matt Giordano, this no-pressure, fun gathering is meant to build community through rhythm and energy. Matt introduces a variety of percussion instruments and demonstrates how to play them. Participants learn different rhythms and how to play cooperatively, creating a drum symphony. The Drum Circle is open to everyone, and has been a favorite activity of Conference attendees for many years. Matt’s percussion studies began at age two and include eight years as a student under the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s lead percussionist. Over the years, Matt has won recognition for his skills through competitions and awards. Matt established Drum Echoes, Inc. to share his passion for percussion. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at a young age, Matt has a unique understanding of people with various abilities. Through his two passions, working with people and drumming, he demonstrates that success and fulfillment in life can be achieved by everyone.

In addition to the Drum Circle, we will also be showing a film featuring Matt Giordano called 75-Watts. Stick around after the film to participate in a Q & A with Matt!

> TSA Awards Banquet
Join us Saturday, April 21st for a wonderful evening of dinner and entertainment at which we will present the Viktoria Holm Kramer Volunteer Recognition Award, the Wendy Anne Ochsman Award for Distinguished Achievement and Advancement of Tourette Syndrome Medical Treatment and Science, the Zak Hollis Youth/Youth Group Achievement Award, the Distinguished Educator Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as our Public Policy and Youth Ambassador Awards.

The Awards Banquet is included in the registration for the full conference. Anyone who cannot attend the conference but would like to attend the banquet must register. The cost of attending the banquet only is $90 and $75 for children under 13.

Attending Information                                                                                                 

If interested in registering for the Leadership Training or the Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program, please contact your local chapter or call the TSA’s Field Services Department at (718) 224-2999 for more information.

If you are not already a member of TSA, join today to take advantage of lower member registration prices! You will also have an opportunity to join on the Conference Registration form.

Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities will be available for teens, young adults, and adults to attend the National Conference. For more information, click here.  Applications: Teens (14-18 yrs old) •  Young Adults (18-25 yrs old) • Adults (25+ yrs old).

Grants may be Available to Attend Conference through State Disability Councils - The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities administer empowerment programs that support individuals who wish to attend educational conferences such as ours. Contact your State Disability Council to find out if resources are available to help offset the cost of attending the TSA Conference. Click here for State Disability contact information.

Help Support a Conference Scholarship
These stressful financial times have taken a toll on many of our families and we realize that many of those with TS and their families won’t be able to afford the cost of registration this year. The benefits of attending a TSA National Conference can be life-changing and your help by contributing towards a scholarship can make a great impact on someone. Even just a few dollars can make a difference! On the Registration form click on the last line before the total to contribute to a Conference Scholarship and share your conference experience.

Meals
For full conference attendees, all meals with the exception of Thursday and Friday night dinner will be included in your conference costs. On Sunday there are no sessions, but a light “farewell” breakfast will provide an opportunity to say “goodbye” to old and new friends.

Hotel
Hotel reservations must be made separately from National Conference registration. Please note the hotel information:

Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia, USA 22202
1-888-421-1442

In order to be guaranteed a room from the TSA block, you must call and book your hotel reservation prior to March 26, 2012. The TSA block room rate is $199 per night (plus tax) for single or double occupancy, $224 (plus tax) for triple occupancy, and $249 a night (plus tax) for quadruple occupancy.

Be sure to mention the Tourette Syndrome Association Conference room block to receive the conference hotel rate.

The Hyatt Regency Crystal City is very close to the DC-metro area – it features a complimentary shuttle to the airport and easy access to Metro transportation.

Off-Site Youth Program
The Tourette Syndrome Camping Organization (TSCO) will be hosting a program for children during the TSA’s National Conference on Friday, April 20th and Saturday, April 21st at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. The program is for children ages 7-14 with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome and their siblings. The cost for the program will be $235 per child. Financial aid may be available.

On Friday, TSCO is scheduled for a Tour of Washington DC, which includes a Congressional Tour and with a possible visit to the White House (subject to change). On Saturday, the program will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Lunch will be provided on both days.

The program will be staffed by members of TSCO’s volunteer camp staff which consists mainly of high school, college students, and young adults who have Tourette Syndrome or who have worked with children with TS and associated disorders. Please note that TSCO cannot handle or administer any medications.

If you are interested in having your child attend this program, visit www.tourettecamp.com or contact Scott Loeff at scott63@prodigy.net or call (773) 465-7536 for more information/to acquire an application.

Please note that your child MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPOSIT BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 TO ATTEND THE WHITE HOUSE TOUR. The cuff-off date is required for the Secret Service security checks. Other programming during the White House Tour will be available for children registered after January 6.

Please note that The Tourette Syndrome Association and the Tourette Syndrome Camping Organization are not affiliated. The above Off-Site Youth Program information is provided as a courtesy.