The Online Peer Group Discussion
The next online peer group discussion starts on January 27th, 2025. The meeting will begin at 5:30pm (MST)/ 7:30pm (EST). Participation in this group is open to anyone from across Canada. For more information and how to sign up
What is the online peer group discussion?
The peer discussion group is moderated by a psychologist with special interest in Tourette syndrome
The group meets weekly for 1.5 hours over a five week period to discuss and listen to each other's lived experience in relation to tic disorders and comorbid conditions. Dr. Jennifer Ference-Belhomme, who has facilitated these groups for the last three years, moderates the discussion. She is a clinical psychologist with the Alberta Children’s Hospital, and has a special interest in Tourette syndrome and neurodevelopmental disorders.
For the first 15-30 minutes of the discussion Dr. Ference-Belhomme presents a key issue, and the remaining hour/45 minutes is an opportunity to share family experiences, tips, and insights in relation to the topic.
To ensure we have a healthy discussion and different participant voices are heard, we cap the participant numbers at 15. Our primary aim is to share your lived experience and provide you and your family with support and guidance.
Exemplar discussion schedule and agenda
Week
1 Relationship challenges and family dynamics
2 Emotional regulation, anxiety, rigidity and perfectionism
3 Coping – for parents and for the children'
4 Building confidence and self efficacy to combat stigma associated with tics
5 ADHD, frustration, boredom tolerance, managing schoolwork and behavioural expectations
Parent Feedback
We have held many online peer group discussions during the last few years. We always strive to interview parents who participate and get feedback to enable us to improve the content and structure of the discussions going forward.
A summary of the main benefits parents report they gain from sharing lived experience:
- Parents are not alone. It is often very helpful for parents to know that others are having similar experiences.
- It provides a context to understand a Tourette syndrome diagnosis- eg, What does "moderate tics” mean?
- In comparing experiences with others, parents feel a connection, which they often find healing.
- The familial experience is normalized.
- Discussing the practical application of strategies week to week provides a renewed perspective on parenting.
- New ideas give opportunities for intra-family conversations about their child’s issues.
Quotes from previous peer support group participants
“I'm not alone, this isn't our own journey, there's lots of other people that are going through a similar journey and that was really comforting for me.”
“I think mostly it was kind of normalizing that we're kind of doing it the same as everybody else and that felt good.”
“She's allowed to feel her feelings and it just opened up for great conversations between all of us.”