00:0011-year-old Anzac McLeod is used to putting on a brave face, but behind the picture,
00:13this smiling schoolboy is doing his best to navigate the struggles of living with Tourette's
00:18Syndrome.
00:19It's really painful, I'm funny at some times, it's like a curse and there's a severe condition
00:26that isn't fixable.
00:27We had a few incidents where he was actually followed to our car to get picked up and he
00:33was pushed and hit.
00:34The bullying got so bad, Anzac uttered words no parent wants to hear.
00:39He told us at one point that he didn't want to be here anymore and he just wanted his
00:44tics to stop.
00:45Anzac's experience is heartbreakingly common for children living with a tic-related condition.
00:50A national study by the Kids Research Institute of Australia and the University of New South
00:55Wales found 50 per cent of affected children have thought about ending their life.
01:01And one in ten children and one in four affected adults have attempted suicide, which is five
01:06times the national average.
01:09Researchers hope this new study can shed light on the systemic issues across the health, education
01:14and employment sectors, where a lack of information is hindering much needed change for people
01:20living with Tourette's syndrome.
01:22We just don't have the supports and services available currently around Australia and we
01:28need something like a clinical guideline so that there is a clear and consistent pathway
01:32to diagnose and provide treatment for this group.
01:35The report also revealed only one in twenty people have access to NDIS funding to access therapies
01:41and support for the condition.
01:42I just think we should just learn more about Tourette and try to find a cure.
01:49But until that day comes Anzac will have to keep relying on his family for support.
02:15All right.
02:26You.
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