Opening up about Tourette syndrome

Seven-year-old Zachary Pattinson chronicles his fears in a book, Tourette Syndrome And Me

Zachary Pattinson (top) used to be worried that his classmates would see his twitching and jerking movements, but writing Tourette Syndrome And Me (above) has empowered him to talk about his condition.
Zachary Pattinson used to be worried that his classmates would see his twitching and jerking movements, but writing Tourette Syndrome And Me has empowered him to talk about his condition. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
Zachary Pattinson (top) used to be worried that his classmates would see his twitching and jerking movements, but writing Tourette Syndrome And Me (above) has empowered him to talk about his condition.
Zachary Pattinson (top) used to be worried that his classmates would see his twitching and jerking movements, but writing Tourette Syndrome And Me has empowered him to talk about his condition.
Stephanie Yeo
Senior Correspondent
Updated
Jul 21, 2021, 05:00 AM
Published
Jul 21, 2021, 05:00 AM
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Zachary Pattinson is a natural in front of the video camera, flashing a charming smile here, an impish grin there, as The Straits Times' team interviews him.

That was not always the case, though.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 21, 2021, with the headline Opening up about Tourette syndrome. Subscribe

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