Awareness of Tourette Syndrome in Malaysia

Abstract

In Malaysia not many parents, including teachers, are aware and have any knowledge about Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome is a disorder due to neurological factors characterized by repeated, stereotyped, unintentional movements and vocalizations called tics. In Malaysia, a few Tourette Syndrome students have been identified as not going to school because they are bullied due to their motor and vocal tics. So, in Malaysia we still don’t have any special teaching and learning modules as an inclusive program for the Tourette Syndrome students. The awareness and understanding about Tourette Syndrome among Malaysian citizens are also lacking, therefore a module to create awareness among parents, teachers and public should be developed. Until today, nothing has been looked into the matter of Tourette Syndrome by any of the Malaysian government departments. This makes the students with Tourette Syndrome not getting proper education and some are not even going to school. So, with the help of Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and Ministry of Education the total number of students in Malaysia with Tourette Syndrome must be identified.