<p>My sister Piper will be starting 9th grade at an elite boarding school this fall even though she has a severe case of Tourette Syndrome. Piper has body tics and vocal tics which she can not control and she is afraid other kids will shun her. Piper shouts out "Oh, God!" about five times in an hour long class and some students will find this distracting. However, I believe the students will eventually get used to it and learn to ignore her shouts and will be glad that she is included in class. Piper is excited to live in a dorm with other kids but she realizes her shouting will annoy some hallmates and when her vocal tics are really bad she will study elsewhere and sleep in the infirmary. Piper is a bright, pretty, talented girl and my family always jokes that "she could be a model, if she could only sit still for a picture." I think the kids will be able to accept Piper eventually but it will be very hard at first. Piper is insecure about her TS and is very afraid of being a social outcast! At her current school, many kids stare and giggle when Piper's head starts spinning or her arms move for no reason. Piper wanted to go to a special boarding school for kids with Tourette Syndrome but my parents really wanted her to try this "top" school because of its famous reputation and prestige. Do you have advice for Piper on how to deal with the teasing? Do you think she will be able to fit in at a regular school? Please be as honest as possible and Thank you!</p>
<p>I think she would qualify for taking tests alone in a quiet room. I feel for your sister - Tourettes is a difficult disorder to live with. Most people don't understand it. I can see why your sister wanted to go to a specialized school - she probably realizes that no one will laugh at her there. I would suggest that you start helping by finding ways the school can educate other students about her disability. It is going to be a hard road at first, and don't kid yourself - I am sure there will be plenty of parents calling the school to complain that they are not paying X amount of dollars for their child to be in an environment with special ed kids. I am not trying to be rude or harsh, but I have seen this before. Please give your sister as much support as you can - there are lots of support groups and I would recommend her finding one near her new school.</p>
<p>Hopefully kids in high school will be mature enough to accept her. But I can't say for sure if that will happen. </p>
<p>I have tics too, nothing as severe as full tourettes, and had a very bad experience at a summer camp when i was in middle school. But that's middle school, and these were some pretty spoiled kids. I'm not mentioning this to scare you, but to say that it could happen. Hopefully she'll be in an environment where it doesn't. </p>
<p>One thing I would reccomend is getting teachers alerted to the situation and making sure they don't stand for ANY disrespect towards your sister.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>