For Immediate Release

      Tourette Syndrome Association Applauds the Senate Bipartisan Attempt to Save IDEA


       BAYSIDE, New York, June 25, 2003 - The national Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), a membership driven, non-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive programs of education, research and personal services to all people who have Tourette Syndrome (TS) and their families, applauds the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for introducing S. 1248, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2003.

      Thanks to the leadership of Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the Senate was able to develop a bipartisan bill that attempts to find compromises in many complex issues.  “Senate bill 1248 is a drastic improvement over the Improving Educational Results for Students with Disabilities Act, which passed the House of Representatives,” said Judit Ungar, president of TSA.

      TSA supports several provisions within S. 1248 that will significantly impact those students with TS.  Some of these provisions include convening a manifestation determination hearing after a student has been removed. The bill takes proactive steps to assist individual students to receive the support they need to manage their behavior. It also successfully addresses the need for states to do more around alternative assessments, and continues the annual IEP process.

      “Although S. 1248 is a marked improvement over the bill passed by the House and it addresses many of TSA’s concerns, there are still some provisions that need to be worked out. The proposed elimination of functional behavioral assessments, the proposed changes to short-term objectives and lack of inclusion of full mandatory funding are all elements necessary to the act,” Ungar said.

      “If functional behavioral assessments are removed, how will a positive behavioral intervention plan be implemented,” Ungar asks. “In order to develop a positive behavioral plan, there must first be a process that accurately identifies the function of the behavior.  For example, it must be determined if a student is being noncompliant in completing written assignments, is it due to insubordination or to a symptom of the disability, which limits the student’s ability to produce written work.”   

      TSA looks forward to continuing to work with the Senate to improve the education of students with disabilities, especially those students with TS.

      Founded in 1972, the TSA celebrates 31 years of service to the Tourette Syndrome community worldwide. As the only national, voluntary health organization for people with TS, the association has a three-pronged mission of education, research and service. TSA has over 45 chapters and more than 300 support groups throughout the country.

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