NEWS

NASSAU COUNTY EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

On October 2nd, 2019, Dr. Zwilling and Kate Callan presented to providers at the Nassau County Early Intervention Council.

TOURETTE AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS:

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MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT

Congressman Pete King met with LI-TA Youth Ambassadors and presented them with a citation declaring May 15-June 15 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month. As Co-Chair of the Tourette Syndrome Caucus he also pledged his continued support of the Tourette community. 

County Executive Bellone met with the YAs for almost an hour to learn about Tourette and then awarded a Proclamation declaring May 15th to June 15th Tourette Awareness month in Suffolk County.

YAs Aiden, Ari, Ben, Blaise, Giovanni, Pierce, Sam R, Steven and future YA Kellen attended a Proclamation Ceremony at the Nassau County Executive Laura Curran's office. The YAs were joined by their Adult team members as well as Long Island Chapter Board members and chapter members. Student Heroes from the Long Island Diversity Forum were also in attendance and one of their members Amy Singh received a citation.

Amand Talty and Joe Grappone from National TAA also attended.

The dome of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative building was to be lit in teal to recognize Tourette Awareness and the group was presented with a Proclamation declaring May 15th-June 15th Tourette Awareness month in Nassau County.

2019 TAA WALK/RUN

LITA team representing our chapter at the 2019 Tourette Association of America 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, May 19, 2019 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

#TOURETTE ROCKS

Thank you to all that joined us at ClayNation on Sunday for an afternoon of painting #touretterocks and a lot of laughs!

FAMILY FUN DAY!

The Long Island Tourette Association would like to thank you for attending the 2019 Family Fun Day.

We hope you had fun, and we look forward to seeing you at the 2020 Family Fun Day.

We truly appreciate your support. Thank you!

LIGHTING THE TOWN TEAL!

LI TA applauds Hudson Valley TA YA Alex Cutler for her huge accomplishment of reaching out to govt officials who agreed to light the Mario Cuomo Bridge teal in recognition of TS Awareness...
Congratulations Alex! Amazing accomplishment!

LONG ISLAND TOURETTE ASSOCIATION AND ITS NEWLY TRAINED YOUTH AMBASSADORS RAISE AWARENESS ON CAPITOL HILL ON DURING THE TAA NATIONAL ADVOCACY DAY

On March 5th, Youth Ambassadors and members of LITA shared personal stories with representatives in Washington, D.C., during the Association’s National Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill and advocated for public policies and services for people affected by Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders.

Newly selected Youth Ambassadors completed a comprehensive training, led by our very own Jane Zwilling, Psy.D and Jen Zwilling, founder or the Youth Ambassador program, to learn how to speak publicly about the often misunderstood disorder and take part in congressional meetings during the Association’s National Advocacy Day. In addition, they will help educate their peers and local community on how to promote understanding and social acceptance of TS and its symptoms through presentations at schools, clubs and community centers.

The Tourette Association launched the Youth Ambassador program in April 2008; it has grown to nearly 400 dedicated teens who have completed more than 1,000 activities including presentations, print and TV media interviews, and training other Youth Ambassadors to reach more than 5.5 million people through their combined efforts.

BATTLE OF THE CLASSES

On March 1, 2019 Carle Place High School hosted its annual:

Battle of the Classes, Battling for a Cause

This event raises funds each year for a charity selected by the Key Club and Student Government. Nominated by Carle Place students and LI TA Youth Ambassadors Steven and Victoria Argenzio, Long Island  Tourette Association was chosen as this year's funds recipient! 

The battle was long and fierce, spirits were high, and the warriors left everything on the battlefield!

By the end of the night the results came in: the phenomenal Carle Place High School student body raised over $25,000 for the Long Island Tourette Association!!!

The LITA appreciates the Carle Place students and is immensely grateful for all the heart, hard work and effort they put into the battle! Thank you all!

CONGRATULATIONS TO REBECCA CARON

Congratulations to YA Rebecca Caron who received recognition from the Medford-Patchogue School Board for her outstanding work raising awareness about Tourette.

And Congratulations to Rebecca for receiving the YES I CAN Award from the Council for Exceptional Children.

Rebecca received the 2019 Yes I Can Award in the School and Community Activities Category.

2018 HOLIDAY PARTY

LITA held its annual Holiday Party at the DeMatteis Center on December 7th. An award ceremony recognized those that have made a difference in the lives of people with TS. The entertainment of the evening was provided by the very talented Improv4Kids. Thank you to all who came! Have a happy and healthy 2019!

2018 LONG ISLAND TOURETTE ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Thank you to all of our AMAZING Teen Volunteers!

Their volunteerism has a tremendous impact and we are so appreciative for all they do!

Congratulations to our 2019 Teen Volunteer Award Recipients!

Aaron Berley Youth Community Service Award

For Dedication and Commitment to Long Island Tourette Association

Chris Alessandri

Outstanding Youth Service Award

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For dedication as LITA Youth Ambassador and Buddy

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Ben Rabinowitz  

Victoria Argenzio 

Shoshana Rabinowitz    

Olivia Viruet-Quintero  

Outstanding Youth Service Award 

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For dedication as a  LITA Youth Ambassador  

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Steven Argenzio  

Rebecca Caron  

Charlotte Cheshire 

Emily Cheshire 

Gianna DiLeo  

Mary Gregorian  

Giovanni Kubanick  

Blaise Urato

Youth Service Award

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For dedication as a LI TA Youth Ambassador  

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Jilly Bliss    

Joesph Cortez  

Jason   Del Greco  

Sam Gil  

Derek Gilbert  

Dylan Kelly  

Ari Ostad  

Patrick Reilly  

Gabe Viruet-Quintero  

Congratulations to and thank you to our newest Buddy-Lauren Basso!

Heartfelt appreciation and Congratulations 

to our 2018 recipient for:

Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Long Island Tourette Community

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Florentina Lazaroaie

CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY

LITA members at the Champions for Charityt kick off cocktail party, generously sponsored by London Jewelers at Americana Manhasset.

Thank you for your participation to the Champions for Charity at Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza! 

PRESENTATION TO BORDER PATROL AGENTS AT JFK AIRPORT

-Heartfelt appreciation to YAs Blaise, Charlotte, Chris, Emily, Giovanni and Steven who participated on a panel at a presentation by Drs. Budman and Zwilling to Border Patrol Agents at JFK airport.

Our YAs did an outstanding job and we received incredible feedback on how much they contributed to the Agents' understanding of TS.

NYS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE CONSORTIUM CONFERENCE

Drs. Cathy Budman and Jane Zwilling, along with Kate Callan, participated in a NYS Centers of Excellence Consortium Conference at Albany Medical Center. 55 Physicians and allied Health Professionals attended.

DR. WOODS' CBIT PRESENTATION AT ADELPHI

Dr Doug Woods training professionals in CBIT

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Dr. Doug Woods presented at Behavior Therapy Institute. The Institute was arranged by Prof Valerie Kubanick at Adelphi University. Twenty-professionals from around the country, and two from abroad, were trained in CBIT at this 2 day workshop right here on Long Island. 

SUPPORT GROUP PRESENTATION BY DR. WOODS

Heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Doug Woods, who presented an extremely informative and valuable talk to one of our best attended support groups on October 5th, 2018. 

Dr. Doug Woods is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Dean of the Graduate School at Marquette University.  Dr. Woods is a current member of the TAA's Medical Advisory Board, and co-developer of CBIT.  He has published over 250 articles and books on tic and other OCD-spectrum disorders, and has conducted well over 100 CBIT trainings around the country.