The fourth podcast in the ACAMH series I was commissioned to produce on Tourettes Syndrome. The focus of this podcast is on cultural differences in tics and tic disorders.

Original article and transcript available here.

Animated video describing the clinical pathways for assessment, diagnosis and treatment for Tourette syndrome in UK.

The Times, 2022.

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BTTI have created this great webinar as an introduction to behavioural therapy for Occupational Therapists (OT). The webinar covers an introduction to what tics are, how OT’s have a role to play in helping those living with Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders as well as using their training in behaviour therapy in their everyday practice with patients. There is a critical shortage of trained healthcare professionals able to deliver behaviour therapy (BT) for treating Tourette Syndrome (TS) and tic disorders. OT’s are ideally suited to deliver BT as well as adding their specialist skills to help patients with such issues as pain, speech difficulties, sensory issues etc.

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Lisa Rudge from the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity and Dr Seonaid Anderson from Neuro-Diverse came together to discuss Tourette's Syndrome, as part of TS Awareness Month (15th May-15th June).

Dr Kathy Weston interviews Dr Seonaid Anderson: Tics and Tic Disorders in Young People

ION Stories’ podcast host Morwenna Stewart (she / her) talks with Dr Seonaid Anderson, a specialist in Tourette syndrome and tics (and other neurodivergent diagnoses). Seonaid talks about her work with people with tics and Tourette syndrome. Among many projects, she’s set up a global organisation - Tics and Tourette’s Across the Globe.

Interview by The Guardian newspaper for the article ‘The unknown is scary’: why young women on social media are developing Tourette’s-like tics', followed up by The Guardian podcast Science Weekly 'Is TikTok giving people Tourette’s Syndrome?'

In this podcast we speak to Dr. Tammy Hedderly, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist who has established and leads the Tics and Neurodevelopmental Movement Service or ‘TANDeM service’ at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Webinars for ADHD Ireland December 2020 & March 2021.

Webinars for the ADHD, ASC & LD Belgium a non-profit parent support organization.

The British Psychological Society.  

Dr Seonaid Anderson and Becky Simpson-Ryan

Commissioned to create a podcast series "In Conversation ‘Tourettes Syndrome" for The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Guest Panelist, 12 August 2020

Guest Panelist, 12 August 2020

In this podcast, Dr Seonaid Anderson and Helen Eadie, of Tourettes Action, define Tourettes Syndrome and expand on its impact. Together with Jo Carlowe, psychology journalist, they explore the next steps for raising identification, awareness, and positive outcomes.

Introduction - what we already know - treatment - areas of uncertainty - What's in the pipeline?

Contributing author: “Barriers to improving access to therapy treatment for tics in the UK”

Dr Seonaid Anderson, research manager for Tourettes Action, said that the average wait for diagnosis from when people have first noticed symptoms has been between one and two years, but some have waited for up to six years.

Dr Anderson added that the issue of pain and discomfort is also an area that has been overlooked.

"It was really quite shocking to discover that this was really quite chronic pain on a daily basis and their repetitive tics were causing them lots of problems in their day-to-day living," she says.

"For other movement disorders, there is perhaps more of an input in terms of helping them manage their pain.

"It seems to be an area that's lacking, you've got Tourette's syndrome and this pain or discomfort is just something you have to live with".

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it was committed to supporting people with neurological conditions such as Tourette's.

"The NHS long-term plan sets out our intention to improve choice and personalised care for people with long term conditions, as well as to support local areas to tackle unwarranted variation in services".