CEREBRAL PALSY

A

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

ND

Brittany Perkins and Shari Labonte

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited muscle diseases in which the muscle fibers are

usually susceptible to damage.

Muscles, primarily voluntary muscles, become progressively weaker. In the late stages of

muscular dystrophy, fat and connective tissue often replace muscle fibers.

Some types affect the heart muscles, other involuntary muscles and other organs.

There are nine different classifications of muscular dystrophy. ~**~*~*~*~

~**~*~*~*~Muscular Dystrophy

RATE OF OCCURRENCE

The most common types appear to be due to a genetic deficiency of the muscle protein

dystrophic.

One in twenty thousand is the accepted rate of occurrence in the

general population.

Muscular dystrophy is usually inherited and follows various inheritance

patterns.

Behavioral characteristics can include mood swings, learning difficulties, lack of

concentration, anxiety, depression, being withdrawn and solitary and having poor peer

relationships.

BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Physical characteristics can include poor balance, frequent falls, walking difficulties,

waddling gait, calf deformation, limited range of movement, respiratory difficulty, droopy eyelids, gonadal, loss of bladder control, scoliosis, and

inability to walk. Some types can affect the heart causing cardiomyopathy or arrhythmias.

The most important education need is to let the teacher know what to expect from your child.

Children with muscular dystrophy can get tired while writing, seem clumsy or slow at times and

slur their words.

The child may need extra time to finish work or take test.

The teacher needs to keep life as normal as possible for the child.

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

www.webmd.com/parenting/understanding-muscular-dystrophy

RESOURCES

Muscular Dystrophy: the Facts by Alan Emery

Muscular Dystrophy in Children: A Guide for Families by Irwin M. Siegel

www.muscular-dystrophy.org/

www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/muscular_dystrophy/

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

ORGANIZATIONS

There are three primary federally funded organizations that focus on muscular

dystrophy.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin

Diseases (NIAMS)

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/muscular_

dystrophy.html

PARENT RESOURCES

www.parentproject.org 

www.nlm.gov/medlineplus/musculardystrophy.html

www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_md.html

STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDREN IN THE

CLASSROOM

Support and motivate the child.

Expose the child to literacy and reading.

Help them find a hobby.

Help the child be independent.

Help them express themselves verbally.

Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a

group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination.

It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal

development or infancy.

It also can occur before, during or shortly following birth.

~**~*~*~*~

~**~*~*~*~

RATE OF OCCURRENCE

Ongoing improvements in prenatal health care have

contributed to a decline in some types of cerebral palsy.

Experts believe that one to two of every 1,000 children born in the United States

have cerebral palsy.

An estimated 500,000 American children and adults have some form of

cerebral palsy.

BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS

Children with Cerebral Palsy may have attention disorders, speech, and language

disorders.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Abnormal muscletone

Poor motor control

Abnormal reflexes

Balance and movementproblems

Muscle weakness

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

The most important education need is to let the teacher know what to expect from your child.

Children with Cerebral Palsy may have ADD or ADHD. The teacher needs to understand these disorders and

focus on how to teach the children in quick effect timing.

These children may have problems in P.E. classes and these teachers will need to work with the child in

their physical therapy.

The teacher needs to include the children in all activities and help them when needed.

RESOURCES

www.cerebralpalsy.org

Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Care GivingBy Freeman Miller, Steven J. Bachrach

www.ucp.com

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/cebral_palsy

www.caringforcerebralpalsy.com

ORGANIZATIONS

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

There are three primary federally funded organizations that focus on Cerebral

Palsy.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA)

PARENT RESOURCES

My Perfect Son has Cerebral Palsy: A Mother’s Guide of helpful Hints

By Marie Kennedy

www.child-cerebral-palsy.com 

www.askthedoctor.com

The Official Parent’s Sourcebook on Cerebral Palsy

By James N. Parker and Philip M. Parker

STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDREN IN THE

CLASSROOM

Support and motivate the child.

Assign classroom buddies to help.

Create classroom layout that does not hinder mobility with a wheelchair.

Always allow students to stretch and be as mobile as possible during class

Only offer help to student if asked.

Create ways of communication if mobility is severely impaired.

http://en.wikipedia.org

www.mayoclinic.com

www.bing.com

www.cafamily.org

www.brighthub.com

www.ask.com

www.about.com

www.about-cerebral-palsy.org

www.gillettechildren.org

www.orginsofcerebralpalsy.com

www.suite101.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~