We’re so excited for you to explore the presentations at TIC-CON26! Visit the tabs below and click on the session titles to learn more about the presentations, the presenters, and which time each will be held. Please note that we are continuing to add sessions, so check back soon to see updates.
The sessions below are grouped by intended audience to help guide your experience, but these are just suggestions. You're welcome to attend any session that interests you!
Research Symposium: Friday - June 12, 2026
Family & Community Conference: Saturday & Sunday - June 13-14, 2026
Registration Desk:
The TIC-CON registration desk is located to the right of the hotel lobby. Be sure to check in here and pick up your name badge, welcome bag, and any pre-ordered merchandise. To check into the conference, simply provide your first and last name at the registration desk - no ticket confirmation needed. The registration desk hours are as follows:
Thursday 6/11: 1:00pm-8:30pm
Friday 6/12: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday 6/13: 7:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 6/14: 8:00am-9:00am
Have questions? Please contact conference@tourette.org
Research Symposium
Research Symposium
Research Symposium
All Audiences
All Audiences
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Reception | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | |
| Adults 40+ with Tourette Syndrome: Shared Experiences & Support | Laurie Rosenblum Darin M. Bush | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Living with Coprolalia: Adult Support & Shared Experiences | Michael Himle, PhD Rena C. Zito, PhD | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Adult Tourette Syndrome Support Group: Open Discussion & Community Connection | David Isaacs, MD, MPH Eric Ji | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Drum Circle | Matt Giordano | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
Family & Community Conference
All Audiences
All Audiences
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit Hall Open | 7:30 AM | 6:30 PM | |
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| The Lived Experience of Receiving Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery from a Tourette Syndrome and Psychiatric Standpoint | Jen Gordon, OTD, OTR/L Kathryn & Robert McGuire | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| United in the Storm: Nurturing the Couple Relationship Amid Tic-Related Stress | Dr. Kenneth Phelps | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Race, Culture, Tourette Syndrome, and Other Tic Disorders | Emauni Crawley Jhonelle Bean Maya Rao La-Kee M. Smith | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| Making Disclosure Work for You: Lessons from Social Science | Rena C. Zito, PhD MJ Dunne | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| One Person, Two Systems: Understanding the Connection Between Tourette Syndrome and Mental Health | Maya Rao Jeff Lichtman, PhD | 3:15 PM | 4:15 PM |
| Connecting with Your Local Government: Working with Community Leaders to Expand Awareness and Inclusion | Angel Ponce Kimberly Blanchard | 3:15 PM | 4:15 PM |
| TAA Fest: A Celebration of Art, Music, & TS Awareness | 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Exhibit Hall Open | 8:00 AM | 11:30 AM | |
| Executive Dysfunction: Its Impact on Tic Symptoms and Strategies for Success | Charles E. Galyon, PhD, HSP, CBIT Certified Shannon Floyd, OTR/L | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Guiding Independence: Using a Collaborative Framework for Assistive Technology Decisions | Mike Salomon | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| Closing Session: Voices of Hope: A Conversation with TAA Youth Award Winners and Their Families | Emauni Crawley Sebastian Cortez-Vega Liselle Cortez-Vega Chayse Hevesi Dan Hevesi Eli Smith | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
Medical
Medical
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| *The "Self" and Tourette Syndrome | Marc Graff, PhD | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| *Enhancing Psychosocial Treatment Approaches for Tic Disorders Among Autistic Children and Adolescents | Joshua M. Nadeau, PhD | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
Elementary School
Elementary School
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| My Power Up Kit: Awesome Tools That Help Me Feel Strong! | Tanya Alvarado, LMHC Asher Alvarado | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| This is Me: A Writing Workshop for Kids with Tourette Syndrome | Jackie Nau Megan Hurley, Ed. S. | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| What Makes Me... ME | Levi Baldwin Anne Baldwin | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Building My Toolbox: Strategies to Navigate Distress and Sensory Overload | Jocee Sevilla Margie Henning, OT | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Let’s Groove! – Music Making and its Social-Emotional Benefits | Aaron Shafer | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
Middle School
Middle School
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Tics & Bullying: From Struggle to Strength | Alex Morphis Megan Hurley, Ed. S. Lizzy Nail | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Let’s Groove! – Music Making and its Social-Emotional Benefits | Aaron Shafer | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| "Beneath the Teal Tree Branch": Growing Up with Tourette Syndrome | Mia Vergnetti Debby Orlando | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Authentic Voices: Writing Tourette Syndrome into Stories that Matter | Tyra Lechner | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
High School
High School
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| How to Not Only Survive but Thrive in High School | Jen Stenger, PhD | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Be a Researcher! What Do You Want to Discover About Tics? | Sarah Hodapp Lillian Michaud Mayella Brinker | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| From High School to College: Navigating the Transition with Tourette Syndrome | Zachary Harmon Jeff Lichtman, PhD | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| Walking Beside Them: Siblings and the TS Journey | Lena Linsenmeier Joan Walling Linsenmeier, Ph.D. | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| More Than Tics: Empowering Youth with Tourette Syndrome to Advocate and Thrive | Addison Fay Rebecca Boldrey Min Akins | 3:15 PM | 4:15 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| The Lifelong Use of Self-Advocacy and Self-Accommodation from the Perspective of an Adult with Tourette Syndrome | Min Akins | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| How Fostering Passions Empowers Youth with Tourette Syndrome | Ellie Carroll Amber Chih Marissa Smolinsky | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
Parent & Guardian
Parent & Guardian
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Seated at Both Sides of the Table: A Mom and Special Ed Teacher’s Perspective on IEP/504 Meetings and Supporting Students with Tourette Syndrome | Anne Baldwin Marissa Smolinsky | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| It’s A Family Affair: The Trials and Tribulations of a Tourette Syndrome Diagnosis | Susan Courey, PhD Mark S. Courey, MD Irene Courey Mark Courey, Jr. | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| A 360 View of Tourette Syndrome: The Lived and Professional Experiences of a Family with TS | Jeff Lichtman, PhD Jeremy Lichtman, PsyD | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Sharing Fifty Years of Advocacy Tips for Parents and Guardians | Kathy Giordano Pamela Malley, CCC-SLP | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Siblings, Tics, and Relationships: Exploring the Impact of Tourette Syndrome on the Sibling and Parent Dynamic | Kumari Riegle Ryan Riegle Priya Riegle Ravi Riegle Nicholas Riegle | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |
Adult & Young Adult
Adult & Young Adult
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| People Need People: The Importance of Having a Support System | Allen Shoaff Eli Smith Dr. Kenneth Phelps | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Neurodiversity + Self-Acceptance | Charles E. Galyon, PhD, HSP, CBIT Certified Christopher Pursell, LCSW Amy Mariaskin, PhD | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Lunch | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM | |
| Advocating for Yourself at Work: Understanding Reasonable Accommodations | Sarah Norton | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Name | Speakers | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| Proof of Life After Diagnosis: Finding Community Beyond Coping | Amy Williams, Esq. Ed Cooney Elizabeth Cooney Brian Williams | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM |