Tourette Association of America
Elizabeth Barker, MBA, currently serves as the Director of Volunteer and Affiliate Services at the Tourette Association of America, a position held since May 2022. Prior experience includes significant roles at the American Red Cross, where Barker was the Senior Disaster Program Manager for the Greater New York chapter from July 2016 to April 2022, and the Interim Chief Executive Officer for the Long Island chapter in early 2016. Notably, Barker has extensive experience in disaster recovery programs and community relationships, overseeing emergency shelters and managing teams of staff and volunteers. Previous roles also include Emergency Services Director and Emergency Services Caseworker at American Red Cross and a Case Manager at LIAAC. Elizabeth Barker holds an MBA from St. Joseph's University New York and a BA in Psychology from Flagler College.
Tourette Association of America
The Tourette Association of America is the premier nationwide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by Tourette Syndrome (TS) and related Tic Disorders, who are frequently misunderstood by the general public and the medical community. Our efforts are focused on “awareness, research and support.” The TAA is the largest and most active national network working to educate the general public and the medical community about TS to: • Raise public awareness and foster social acceptance • Advance scientific understanding, treatment options and care • Educate professionals to better serve the needs of children, adults and families challenged by Tourette and Tic Disorders • Advocate for public policies and services that promote positive school, work and social environments • Provide help, hope and a supportive community across the nation • Empower our community to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders Today it is estimated that 1 in 160 (0.6%) school-aged children in the United States has Tourette and that 1 in 100 school-aged children in the United States has TS or another Tic Disorder. Thousands of children and adults may be experiencing the wide range of often misinterpreted behaviors associated with TS and Tic Disorders without understanding the cause—or realizing that help is available. This can result in life-long learning or emotional issues, which could be prevented. Visit Tourette.org to learn more!