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Life's A Twitch! Celebrating 15 years.
1998 - 2018
Life's A Twitch! Celebrating 15 years.

 

MSTS 1998 CONFERENCE REVIEW
EXCERPT BY SUSAN MCKIE


....Duncan McKinlay was the featured speaker of the afternoon, and what an afternoon it was!  Truly dynamic.

I had been fortunate enough to meet Duncan prior to the October conference in Winnipeg, when my family and I took part in a study he was doing, to apply towards his masters degree in educational psychology, at the University of Waterloo.

Duncan visited the homes of many families in the Ontario region compiling information on the reaction of Touretters and their family members to issues affecting their outlook on TS.

It was with great pleasure that I got to hear Duncan speak at the conference.  I was aware of his keen interest in helping people deal effectively with Tourette's Syndrome, but the more I listened to him speak, the more I learned how truly well versed he was on the subject of TS.  It's impressive and moving that he gives so much of himself in order that others may be able to overcome obstacles present in dealing with the disorder.

Duncan's winning approach was infectious as he spoke about strategies he had made his own, in order to live and cope with TS.  In educating people about what triggers certain behaviours in TS, he delved deeply into the feelings of those who have it.  I particularly enjoyed hearing him reveal information on such obstacles he has faced like concern over pleasing people and fitting in, an often turbulant mind, and whether or not to reveal "the big secret" to others.

What one tends to quickly appreciate about Duncan is his upfront, hands-on approach to dealing with the issue of TS, particularly as it relates to children.  He believes in getting down to what's going on in these children's heads.  He teaches the importance of 'asking' them, rather than assuming.

His presentation displayed many positive coping designs; the most profound I believe was his demonstration, first-hand, of a wonderfully constructive 'attitude'.  Along that vein, he stressed the importance of being able to "find a back door to get through the front door."  In watching and listening to him, I concluded that it was a necessity to be able to develop an appreciation of the good in TS, and to be able to live with it well.

Editor's note: [one overhead Duncan used] is entitled 'DSM (Duncan's Subsitute Manual) Diagnosis of Tourette's Syndrome"  In real life there is a DSM, a book with diagnostic criteria for various disorders which includes Tourette's Syndrome.  The audience enjoyed and appreciated Duncan's lighhearted 'alternate': what if the DSM said this...

"Both multiple acts of energetic spontaneity and one or more acts of creativity have been present at some time, although not necessarily concurrently. Intense feelings occur openly many times a day, which can lead to fun, motivation, and strong friendships.  There is never a period of dullness or non-genuineness. These symptoms can cause marked intelligence, original perspectives, or significant talents in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning."

          ©Duncan McKinlay, 1998.

The difficulties many with TS and/or associated disorders face are not minimized, but Duncan's alternate "DSM" helps us understand that by turning negatives into positives helps to improve one's attitude towards TS, either personally or as an outsider.

In [another] overhead Duncan talked about "The Effort Reservoir" ©Duncan McKinlay.  The 'bubbles' say:  "don't shake your head, sit still, pay attention, and stop thinking about that".  We soon learn that while this is all going on, the person with TS is trying to cope in the classroom, the workplace, or trying to finish that long assignment.  We learn that as adults, or as parents helping our children we have to get to know our 'effort reservoir' and learn how to conserve and best utilize it's sometimes limited quantities.  Duncan did a magnificent job explaining this to the audience and shared much of his professional experience and expertise.

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Last updated on March 25, 2022

© 1998 - 2020.  Life's A Twitch!® & design are registered trademarks of B. Duncan McKinlay, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Retired)

All activities related to Life's A Twitch!® are conducted by B. Duncan McKinlay, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Retired) in a private capacity and do not represent the Ministry of Children and Youth Services or the Government of Ontario.

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