Narrative Matters: Young people with lived experience discuss I Swear

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Disability Studies
• Media Psychology

Background:

• The film "I Swear" explores Tourette syndrome (TS) through the life of John Davidson.
• Young people with lived experience of tics engaged with the film's themes.
• Personal experiences were examined alongside theoretical models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how young people with tics relate to media portrayals of TS.
• To analyze tic experiences through the lenses of the Social Model and Medical Model of Disability.
• To identify needs for improved societal and professional understanding and support.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of young people's reflections on the film "I Swear".
• Discussion of personal experiences in relation to the Social Model and Medical Model.
• Exploration of historical and contemporary media representations and societal responses to tics.

Main Results:

• Young people identified with themes in the film, connecting them to their own experiences with tics.
• A need for an integrated approach, combining the Social Model and Medical Model, was proposed.
• Challenges in media representation and societal attitudes towards tics were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• A balanced perspective integrating Social and Medical Models is essential for supporting young people with TS.
• Increased psychoeducation within the community is urgently required.
• Improving societal understanding can enhance the quality of life for individuals with tics.