STOP BLINKING RIGHT NOW!  Before you read that, your blinking was automatic. You didn’t have to give it a thought…you just blinked as often as needed to keep your eyes healthy.     This is one of the best examples to demonstrate what it’s like to have a tic, the main symptom of Tourette syndrome. Many tics are automatic, coming and going without any thought. With concentration, they may be able to stop a tic, but it will start again when they are not trying to stop it. Right now, you are blinking again because you are reading this.    During our free presentations in Pennsylvania, PA-TSA uses this effective example to help school staff and classmates better understand and empathize with students who have Tourette syndrome. This is just one powerful example of how we help to reduce teasing/bullying of these children and get them the support they need within the school setting. Our other services serve the whole family, to help them support the individual with TS. Tourette syndrome is easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. Children are often disciplined for their tics. Our aim is to stop this from happening and give everyone the tools to understand and support.