Date of Award
8-1-2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Teaching & Learning
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to discover the impact Tourette's syndrome has on families; specifically, fathers, mothers, and children diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. More specifically, what is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on fathers who have a child with Tourette's syndrome7 What is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on mothers who have a child with Tourette's syndrome7 What is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on a child with Tourette's syndrome?
Three families were selected as participants. All families had at least one child, ages 10-21 medically diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome.
Qualitative research methods included initial visits and interviews, followup interviews, and observations. These methods were used to investigate family perceptions on the impact of having a child with Tourette's syndrome in the family and included the perspectives of fathers, mothers and children diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome.
The overall assertion was that families who have a child with Tourette's syndrome want to be accepted and supported in their communities and are willing to share their experiences to help other families with Tourette's syndrome.
Fathers identified with their families and were strong supporters of their families They appreciated support from the community and viewed themselves as advocates for their families. Fathers acknowledged that because of Tourette's syndrome, their families have been viewed differently within their communities than other families, but this made them a stronger family.
Mothers identified with their emotions and took pride in their nurturing role as a mother. They openly expressed their feelings and the impact that Tourette's syndrome has had on their families. Mothers continued *o identify with their role as caregiver.
The children in the study identified with their parents. They felt that each parent was supportive, however, fathers and mothers had different ways of relating to their child. They felt accepted in their communities when the public was familiar with Tourette's syndrome, although they think Tourette's syndrome can be a problem in certain settings when the public misinterprets symptoms. In the children’s eyes, Tourette's is not a disability, ami they took pnde in themselves, probably due to the support they received from their families
Recommended Citation
Olson, Judith L., "The Impact of Tourette's Syndrome on Families: Perceptions of Fathers, Mothers, and Children with Tourette's Syndrome" (2004). Theses and Dissertations. 3807.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/3807