Muscular Dystrophy at a Glance

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases thats characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of voluntary skeletal muscles.
There are 9 main forms of MD. Most common kind of Muscular Dystrophy is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Usually occurs 1 in every 3500 males. Becker Muscular Dystrophy is a more mild form. There are many other forms of Muscular Dystrophy that also effect females including LimbGirdle MD and Myotonic MD. It is believed more then 50,000 Americans are affected with MD.

Michelle Haddock
An inherited defective gene or a random mutation of a gene causes Muscular Dystrophy. These genes are found on the X-chromosome. The affected genes regulate proteins that aide in muscle maintenance. In Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, it is inherited from the mother, a mutated gene on the Xchromosome, even if the mother shows no signs of DMD. Inheritance of DMD can be seen in the image on the left. There is no cure but research is promising in the areas of Stem cells, gene therapy, and exon skipping.

Resources
There are many wonderful resources that can be found at mda.org Local MDA office 6305 Ivy Lane #320 Greenbelt, MD 20770 301-486-7680 Infants and Toddlers Program 1450 Furnace Ave, Glen Burnie, Md. 21060 410-222-6911 http://www.aacps.org/itp

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Muscular Dystrophy Characteristics

Some Muscular Dystrophies do not become apparent until adolescence or even adulthood. Most however become apparent at a young age, in toddler or preschool years. Many of these children start walking late and seem clumsy and fall down more then a normally developing child. Many times enlarged calf muscles are a telling sign as well as increased difficulty standing from a sitting position. Over the coming years muscle groups will continue to weaken. Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy often are in a wheelchair around the age of ten. Occupational and/or physical therapy may be of great help, though it is not a cure. People with less severe forms of Muscular Dystrophy may be able to walk without aid or walkers for a longer period of time.

It is important in the home and at school to encourage visitors and social interactions. Focusing on certain hobbies or interests, such as art, is also a great way of developing and maintaining intellectual and mental health. Job opportunities such as in an office or in computer aided design can be best but there are many options.

Teaching Children With Muscular Dystrophy.

Children with Muscular Dystrophy can have intelligence of all levels. Many seem to have at least some learning disability. Problems with learning can be cognitive, such as memory problems or attention span. Schooling can also be sporadic at times when these children miss school because of health problems or need surgeries. A tutor may be needed. Learning difficulties increase with age as gross and fine motor skills start to suffer. These students need assistance from peers, teachers or aides. Assistive technology can be a real asset. As handwriting becomes more difficult, a laptop with a keyboard or alternative input method, such as dictation or Speak Q, can be a great tool. Adjustable tables, slant boards or smart boards are other useful tools. Students can enjoy emailing assignments rather then trying to print them out. Sometimes it is also necessary to adjust the requirements for these students. Instead of a student having to turn in a five-page assignment, maybe three pages or an extended deadline. Todays modern world and technology can make learning for these students much easier.

Related Laws
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) MD CARE Act Reauthorization (2013)

References
Emery, A. (2008). Muscular dystrophy (3rd ed.). Oxford, GBR: Oxford University Press.

Muscular Dystrophy Association. (2014). Retrieved from mda.org

Taylor, R. L., Smiley, L. R., & Richards, S. B. (2009). Exceptional students. New York, NY: Mc Graw-Hill Higher Education. Wolff Heller, K., Mezei, P. J., & Thompson Avant, M. J. (2008). Meeting the assistive technology needs of students with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Journal of Special Education Technology, 23(4), 15-30.