PLEASE NOTE: TSParentsOnline, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS), and its directors and employees assume no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, objectivity or usefulness of the information that follows in this blog post. None of the stated parties endorse any part of this post. It is merely being posted here for informational purposes only at the sole discretion and responsibility of Caitlin Kilmer.
My name is Caitlin Kilmer and I am a fifth-year clinical psychology doctoral student at Immaculata University. I am in the beginning stages of my dissertation and am conducting a study examining anxiety, stress and executive functioning in children 7 to 17 years of age with Tourette Syndrome.
I am inviting you to consider participating in my study. In order to participate, your child needs to be between the ages of 7 and 17 years of age and have a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. Child participants may not have a diagnosis of intellectual disability, serious mental health disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder), serious behavior disorders (e.g., conduct disorder), sensory impairments (e.g., blindness, deafness) or a major neurological disorder.
The study consists of a packet of information that you will receive in the mail. The packet will contain a consent form, an assent form, three questionnaires, a sheet to log tics, as well as a stamped return envelope. You will complete the consent form as well as one questionnaire. Your child will complete an assent form and two questionnaires.
You or your child, depending on age, will keep track of the frequency of his/her tics on a provided form for a one-week time period. After the one-week time period, all forms are to be placed in the stamped return enveloped and mailed back to the researcher. For participating in the study, your name will entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card.
If you are interested participating in this study, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you by phone or e-mail. In addition, I would be happy to provide any further information you may require in order to make a decision; please contact me at ckilmer@mail.immaculata.edu or 610-457-9880, or my dissertation chair, Dr. Marie McGrath, at mmcgrath@immaculata.edu or 610-647-4400 ext. 3437.
Thank you for your time.
My daughter is 9 years old and has been dealing with tourettes for the past 4 years. She has had a rough year, as her tics have taken over. She has very “odd” tics that neither her neurologist nor neuropsychiatrist have seen before. I think this study would be super beneficial, not only in helping her but helping others dealing with touretts.
Jessica, if you are interested in participating in the study, we recommend you contact them directly at the phone/e-mail provided.