Community Will Come Together for

NJ Walks for TS This Month

Let’s come together and Walk the Walk for the Tourette Syndrome community! Join us for NJ Walks for TS, where every step makes a difference. All proceeds support the vital programs and initiatives of NJCTS, empowering kids, individuals, and families across New Jersey with the care, connection, and community they deserve.

When: Saturday, May 17

Where: Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ

Check-In: 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Walk Starts: 10:00 a.m.

So rally your friends, get your team together, or come solo and meet some

incredible people!

Help Us Retain Our State Funding

NJCTS is at risk of losing critical state funding for 2026—and we need YOUR voice to help restore it.

NJCTS provides life-changing services, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by Tourette Syndrome across NJ. We can't let this vital support disappear.

CALL your local NJ legislators TODAY and urge them to restore funding to NJCTS.

🗣️ Let them know this matters. Every call makes a difference.

LEARN MORE AND MAKE THE CALL

SAVE THE DATE: June 4th is TS Awareness Day in NJ

June 4 is officially Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day in New Jersey! The official legislation, aimed to raise public awareness of Tourette Syndrome and improve the quality of life of all people touched by TS, was signed into law in 2018.

HOW CAN YOU HELP TO RAISE AWARENESS?

Write a letter to your mayor and/or town council asking for the designation of June 4, 2025 as TS Awareness Day in “your town,” and be sure to include why YOU think it’s important to bring awareness to your hometown. Plus, you may be asked to attend a council meeting to have the proclamation formally presented to you!

May Programs & Support Groups

NJCTS is planning exciting programming throughout the month.

Community Connections for Adults with TS

May 12 at 7 p.m. (Virtual)

Join us for a Community Connections online "hang out" for those 21+. Here you can comfortably discuss your experiences, share advice, and build relationships with those who understand your unique challenges.

Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Strength: A Support Group for Parents of Children with Tourette

May 14 at 9 a.m.

The monthly NJCTS support group is an avenue for parents who are new to a tic disorder diagnosis to seek support and guidance from parents who have more experience, as well as an opportunity for parents with more familiarity in coping with a diagnosis to also learn and seek guidance. The group is facilitated by Dr. Jeremy Lichtman, an expert in the treatment of TS, who is there to answer questions and provide guidance wherever you may be in your TS journey.

Tourette Talk: In Our Own Voice

May 19 at 7 p.m.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, NJCTS welcomes NAMI NJ’s Presentation of “In Our Own Voice”, a unique public education program in which two trained speakers share their compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery.

MASTERMINDS - Empowering Parents: A New Approach to Supporting Children with Tics

May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Discover how parents can play a powerful role in supporting children with tics. Morgan Iskowitz, a doctoral researcher, will share an innovative, parent-focused approach rooted in components of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). You’ll learn how increasing your understanding of tic behaviors and making simple changes in the home environment can reduce stress, improve reactions to symptoms, and potentially prevent more severe challenges down the line!

Empowering the Next Generation of Advocates

From sharing their stories with students, doctors and teachers to mentoring peers and speaking at the NJ State House, NJCTS Youth Advocates are making a difference every day.

Do you see yourself or your child stepping into one of these inspiring roles? NJCTS offers advocacy training for students in grades 7–12, helping them discover the many ways they can use their voice to create change.

Ready to get involved? Learn more about the Youth Advocate program during two upcoming information sessions.

On the Blog: Finding Confidence and a Voice Through Tourette Syndrome

"For me, living with Tourette Syndrome (TS) has been one of those life-shaping experiences. It has not always been easy, but it’s pushed me to grow, speak up, and discover a version of myself I didn’t know existed." - Ryder Pollack, NJCTS Youth Advocate READ MORE