< DSF Programs
Children Educational Initiative 
The Children Educational Initiative Program focuses on raising awareness about Essential Tremor within our school systems. 
 
We are collaborating with legislators and educators to develop a pilot program aimed at informing principals, teachers, and school nurses about Essential Tremor. 
 
Our goal is to help them recognize and understand the symptoms of Essential Tremor in children in their classrooms.

ET is a disability, and the school systems need to learn about Essential Tremor. Most people don’t understand ET, so it brings on bullying because of ignorance. When they see people’s hands, head, & voice tremor they think it is funny.

Children, of all ages from very young to college, are not only bullied by their peers, but by teachers and principals. It isn’t because the teachers and principals are cruel, but because of a lack of knowledge.
 
Recent research indicates that 5 out of every 100 children under the age of 20 have essential tremor. That number is staggering and represents a significant increase in the incidence of ET in children from even ten years ago. Yet there seems to be so little information available about ET in general and even less about ET in children. That is why our DSF Children Educational Initiative Problem is so important. 

​DONATE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
DONATE to the DSF National ED Initiative Program  to help children living with ET
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​​Your support/donation to DSF Education Initiative Program ensures
  • Improved knowledge of Essential Tremor throughout the school administrators, principals, and teachers.
  • ​Work with Legislators and Educators on a pilot program to inform Principals, Teachers, and school Nurses about Essential Tremor. 
  • Recruit Volunteers & Team Members.
  • Provide support and tools for school nurses & teachers.
  • End ET Bullying in schools
  • Spread ET educational information on Social Media Platforms and ET Campaigns​​​

Recognizing Essential Tremor in children

By Darlene A. Lobel MD FAANS  DSF President
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Recent research indicates that 5 out of every 100 children under the age of 20 has essential tremor. That number is staggering, and represents a significant increase in the incidence of ET in children from even ten years ago. Yet there seems to be so little information available about ET in general and even less about ET in children.

ET can be present as early as birth, although most commonly it will begin between the ages of 6 and 8 when it starts in childhood. Boys are three times more likely to develop ET as child than girls. We do not see this gender difference in adults who develop ET.
There are other notable differences between childhood ET and adult onset ET. Children often develop tremors in both hands and arms, while adults commonly have only one side of their body with tremors for a number of years and many never develop tremors in both sides of their body. Also, head tremor is very rare in children, affecting only 5% of children with ET.

Importantly, when ET presents in children, it is very common for the child to have another neurological condition at the same time. Children with ET often have “tics” or jerky, movements of their head or arms. This can also make diagnosis difficult. Many doctors who are not movement disorder specialists may not recognize essential tremor. It is important that you take your child to a movement disorder neurologist to be sure you are getting the right diagnosis and the best treatment recommendations.

If you have a child with ET, know that you are not alone. We will be posting information and resources regularly to help you and your child have the most up to date knowledge about ET.
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Darlene A. Lobel MD FAANS 
Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor