THE family of a 13-year-old Cwmbran boy with severe Tourette’s Syndrome has said a decision to send him to a specialist school after a four year battle marks a “new chapter”.

Tyler Williamson, of St Dial’s, suffers from the condition Tourette’s, which causes him to shout out obscene words as often as every three seconds.

Mum Kelly said she has been battling for four years to get Tyler a place at a specialist school and contacted the Argus after Torfaen Council told her Tyler would have to start mainstream school this September.

Tourette’s Syndrome affects the brain and nervous system and is characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics.

Because of the tics, Tyler’s family said attending mainstream school is difficult because of teasing from other children which causes high levels of anxiety.

Year eight pupil Tyler, who also has ADHD, has not been to mainstream school full time since year five.

Mum Kelly Williamson said: “The tics can get really, really bad.

“It’s very hard work. We went out for a meal on Friday night and it was a little girl’s birthday on a nearby table. Some of the children copied his tics and were laughing at him. He doesn’t really like going anywhere.”

Mrs Williamson said Tyler “tried mainstream school and it just didn’t work”. She said: “We were going in for just one hour a day but because his behaviour was so disruptive the school said it would be best if he went home.”

“It was a decision all of us took together because of Tyler’s challenging behaviour. We also tried a pupil referral unit but that didn’t work.”

For the last year Mrs Williamson has been home tutoring Tyler with books she has borrowed from the local library.

But now Torfaen Council has agreed to fund a place for Tyler at a specialist school.

“They said they are going to meet Tyler’s needs,” Mrs Williamson said.

“I think it’s disgusting it has taken so long. What Tyler’s been through I’m never going to get those years back.”

But she said she’s feeling positive about the future. She said: “It is the start of a new chapter for Tyler, he’s going to have a bit of school life which he’s never had.”

Torfaen Council declined to comment.