Paige Kowalski Speaks to Law Enforcement About Tourette Syndrome

On October 30, New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) Youth Advocate Paige Kowalski, 16, of Plainsboro and Education Outreach Coordinator, Patricia Phillips presented to over 30 members of law enforcement and emergency services at the Middlesex Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville to spread awareness about Tourette Syndrome and its symptoms.

For someone with TS, an encounter with law enforcement can be an extremely stressful situation because of the common misconceptions surrounding the disorder. To help prevent confusion and educate law enforcement about Tourette Syndrome and its signs and symptoms, NJCTS provides CIT trainings across New Jersey.

“The presentation not only discussed Tourette Syndrome but also talked about de-escalation techniques, providing officers with information to augment the skills they already use in the field,” says Patricia Phillips. NJCTS has been invited back several times within the last two years to provide these important trainings to those in Law Enforcement and emergency first responders.

Paige Kowalski was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 7. Paige’s diagnosis was a relief in her eyes, because her older sister, Tess, had already been diagnosed with TS years before, so it came as no shock to her family. “This was one more thing to make me unique, and I knew the people in my life wouldn’t let it hold me back,” says Paige. On Wednesday, Paige shared her story of struggles and perseverance and why it is so important to understand this disorder, especially for law enforcement.

The NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, the nation’s first Center for Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools, health centers, and universities. To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and the programs available from NJCTS, visit www.njcts.org.