Common Disabilities

Muscular Dystrophy

Characteristics

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy.

Early signs of Duchenne, which usually occur between the ages of 2 and 6, include frequent falling, difficulty getting up from a sitting lying position and a waddling gait. Another sign is the enlargement of the calf and other muscles which is due to the accumulation of fat and connective tissue in the muscle. There is a high level of creatine kinase (enzyme) that leaks out of damaged muscle.

Progression varies from child to child, but, usually by the age of 12 a wheelchair will be needed.

Moderate exercise programs and physical therapy minimize contractures in which shortened muscles around joints cause abnormal positioning, such as scoliosis.

Middle and high school tend to be very frustrating for the student with muscular dystrophy. These students have went from normal play with their classmates in elementary school to sitting in an electric wheelchair barely being able to maneuver.

Teaching Strategies

• Use extensions for tag games
  
  
• Larger, softer balls, large balloons or ballsacks
  
  
• Make sure the student is always part of the class

Safety: take precautions with tag games or any running, dodging game because the student will not be able to move as quickly and efficiently as before. Also, look for instability in walking, the student will start to fall more frequently