Definitions

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a condition of the nervous system that causes people to “tic”. Tics are sudden involuntary twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly.

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) features unwanted patterns of thoughts/obsessions and repetitive behaviors/compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress that interrupt daily life. The onset of both TS and OCD is usually between the ages of five and ten.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help support children with Tourette Syndrome and associated conditions, and their families, by providing a comfortable space to meet, learn, and share with one another. Our support groups’ main goals are to bring together a community of families and professionals, and provide access to quality educational resources. We will encourage our members through positive language, planned experiences, guest speakers, and support group brand messaging.

Values

Personal Growth & Acceptance

Community & Belonging

Mindfulness & Understanding

About the Founder

Hi! I’m Nicole, Founder of Tourette Support & Education. I am a mother, wife, teacher, designer, and forever student. Art and design, traveling, and the outdoors are things that genuinely inspire me. Since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be two things: a mom and a teacher. I married my high school sweetheart and together we have two really wonderful boys who are my everything. And I love what I do for work! Teaching is a way for me to continue to learn and grow in my craft, which I find extremely interesting and very gratifying.

I have a master’s in Design with a concentration in Innovation Studies and a minor in Cultural Anthropology from the University of North Texas. I am currently a professor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) in Wisconsin, where I joined the faculty in 2014. Teaching brings balance to my life and gives me the freedom to exercise my own creativity with a larger objective to work toward. Whether in a one-on-one setting, large group discussion, or out in our community, I find motivation and joy in working with people and helping them realize their full potential.

In 2023, I was ¬granted a year-long sabbatical to create and brand a Tourette Syndrome support group. I have Tourette Syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I was diagnosed at age twelve at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Both of my boys also have Tourette Syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I am the only person they have ever met with the same diagnoses. They inspired me to start our support group: I want the boys to feel a sense of belonging among a group of people invested in personal growth and finding pride in who they are.

Community can foster a sense of belonging, but only when built on the foundation of a strong identity. An identity shows the world something or someone exist. Identities cultivate pride and forms the basis for the aesthetic and tone of a brand. My professional design practice centers on brand and identity development, so knowing the powerful influence identity can have, I designed a logo for our group. During my sabbatical, I will extend the reach of the brand by designing a website and blog, additional educational tools, a trifold brochure, promotional posters, social media content and ad spaces, pins, stickers, a business card, letterhead, and an envelope.

My role is to lay the groundwork to build a resilient community. My familiarity with Tourette is all-encompassing—I live intimately with it every day, as a mother and an educator—and I will draw upon these experiences to organize and facilitate the support group meetings. I believe together we can make a difference by encouraging and supporting others through positivity, communication, and care. Please join us the first Wednesday of every month. More information to come!

THANK YOU!