THE family of a young York boy with Tourette's syndrome have given a moving insight into what their life is like in a bid to raise awareness of the condition.

Fletcher Sleightholm, aged 11, who lives with his parents Natalie and Stuart and brother Bradley in Acomb, was diagnosed with chronic tic syndrome along with OCD traits when he was six-years-old.

His condition took a turn for the worse in 2015 and he developed tics such as loud shouting, head jerking, physical movements such as having to touch the floor after each foot step, jumping in the air and face twitching.

Doctors diagnosed Fletcher with Tourette's that year.

By the start of 2018, his whole life was affected by the condition.

Natalie, 32, said: "He was no longer sleeping, he could not concentrate, he was having episodes of rage, he started to swear, be racist, hit out, smashing things, he tried to jump out of a moving car, touch hot cookers, have obsessive thoughts. He started to become very withdrawn and now has anxiety, he feels he’s no good and has no self confidence.

"His educational development is now effected and he is behind in most subjects due to not being able to concentrate. He can’t always write as his hand just won’t let him, he can only use certain pencils as he cannot tolerate certain textures, he can’t always touch paper and has to wash his hands continuously until the feeling goes away.

"He has had to be given a full-time teaching assistant and his own class room in school as he needs time let his tics out and also to give other children time to concentrate on their work as his tics cause too much disruption."

Fletcher has started on medication to help with his condition, but his mum said this hasn’t worked.

The Westfield Primary School pupil has experienced a 'tic attack' which can lead to hospital treatment.

Natalie said: "The only way I can describe this is it’s like watching someone who has been possessed by the devil as his body spasms and he screams. During this time I have to hold him down and comfort him until it’s over. These can last hours."

People have made derogatory comments towards Fletcher, according to Natalie, who said the manner in which some people respond towards her son's tics has made it very difficult for the family socially.

"He has been threatened by a grown adult for his use of language in front of his child, he has been called names," Natalie commented.

"As a family we feel like we cannot go anywhere, even a simple visit to the cinema is to hard as people move away or complain about him as they just think he’s a naughty child who parents let him swear.

"He has been to parties and had to be taken to aside due to parents of children complaining about him. I cannot enjoy anywhere we go as I feel like somebody will hurt him, even more when he’s been racist.

"Fletcher feels he has to apologise for his use of words which is hard as he doesn’t mean the things he says.

"His brain has no filter, it stores words his brain knows are bad."

She said adults have been worse than children for the "judgement" and "ignorance" towards her son.

"It’s an incurable and life long battle and in this day and age we should not make people isolated because of who they are," she added.

Natalie has praised Westfield school for the way it has helped and looked after Fletcher.

She and her husband Stuart work full-time, which she said is a struggle while looking after Fletcher.

"Up until recently we have had no financial support. But we've just been awarded Disability Living Allowance," she said

Natalie is holding a family fun day at Rosevale care home in Wigginton in July to raise funds for the charity Tourettes Action.

Meanwhile, Fletcher's auntie Jodie Sandford is organising a fun day to take place at Acorn Rugby Club on Thanet Road on June 30 in aid of Tourettes Action. This will feature a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, including a six-month gym membership at X Martial Arts in Acomb.

In addition, Jodie is running 28 miles this month - a mile each day - with her friend Ellie Kaloczi to raise money for the fun day. Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jodie-sandford

A coffee morning will be held at St Lawrence's CE Primary School on March 12 for any parents who have children with Tourette's to meet up and have a chat.