Centring Tourettic Experiences in Technology: Tourette Syndrome, Median Nerve Stimulation, and the Role of Technoableism in Self-Harm and Stigma

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is commonly conceptualised as a neurological disorder that frequently has childhood onset, and is characterised by tics – impulsive vocalisations or movements such as twitches, coughs, grunts or fuller and more complex words, phrases and actions. Progress in the treatment of TS and other tic disorders has recently taken a significant pivot towards the consideration of wearable technological treatments – notably wearable health technology that allows for the self-administering of median nerve stimulation (MNS) in an attempt to minimise tourettic tics and premonitory urges. The need for further research into TS, TS treatments and service provision is high. However, this commentary seeks to employ a more nuanced consideration of published findings surrounding MNS more broadly speaking, raising important ethical questions surrounding safety, self-harm, stigma and the general safeguarding of the tourettic community in community-based treatment options for TS in relation to the concept of technoableism – the focus on cure rather than the centring of disabled people themselves. This commentary calls for a centring on the experiences of potential tourettic users of wearable MNS technologies, rather than on the cure and compliance to expected social norms.