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Tourettes: Teenage Tics

Duration: 50 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC One HDLatest broadcast: on BBC One Scotland

Twelve-year-old Rory has Tourette syndrome. After recently moving to secondary school, his physical and verbal outbursts have exploded.

In 1988, John Davidson featured in the BBC documentary John's Not Mad. He is determined that no other child should go through the horrific experience he had as a child and has taken Rory under his wing.

Unlike when John was growing up, Rory has the advantage of support at school. Both John and his pupil support teacher introduce Rory and his Tourette's to those around him in the local community. A visit to the local police station highlights the difficulties Rory has as his uncontrollable tics cause havoc in the face of authority.

Rory also has help from Greg Storey. In 2002, aged eight, Greg took part in the The Boy Can't Help It, a follow-up film to John's Not Mad. As a boy, Greg invented a complex language as a way of communicating with his Tourette's. Now aged 23, he believes it can be adapted to help speed up computers.

John runs Tourette Camp, a place where people with Tourette's can look forward to a time where they can shout as loud as they like, free of worry about upsetting or offending others. It is Rory's first time at Tourette Camp, and he comes together with John and Greg. Greg has found his own unique way to manage his Tourette's, and John and Greg hope it may give Rory some much-needed respite. Show less

Contributors

Executive Producer:
Todd Austin
Producer:
Min Clough
Director:
Min Clough
Production Company:
Bohemia Films

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