Children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) benefit from participating in a normal learning environment alongside their peers. Changes to the classroom and school environment can help make navigating the physical and cognitive symptoms of the disease a little easier, so students can focus on the school day — not on feeling different, tired or frustrated.
Ways of ensuring an inclusive approach to learning
Before welcoming a child or teenager with DMD into the classroom, there are small ways of adapting aspects of daily life to improve the learning experience.
Adapting the classroom for mobility aids
Depending on the age and disease progression of the student, they may need the help of assistive walking devices, a mobility scooter or a wheelchair. Helping children with DMD comfortably move these devices around the school grounds and within the classroom may require some reorganization.
These changes can help accommodate mobility aids in the classroom:
- Provide easy access to the classroom and play areas with ramps, lifts and automatic doors.
- Configure the classroom to allow easy passage between desks and to communal areas. Keep pathways clear of backpacks, school supplies or other impediments.
- To put all students on an equal level with a student in a wheelchair, the class can sit on chairs instead of the floor.
- Add extra time to move between classrooms.
Adapting learning activities
As well as mobility, DMD can also have an impact on cognitive capacity and fine motor skills that mean schoolwork will need to be adjusted. Children may have learning disabilities and trouble with concentration, as well as depression, anxiety and problems managing emotions. Children may also quickly have hand or arm fatigue while writing.
Basic tips to adapt learning include:
- Adapt tasks to take into account the individual child’s needs and abilities.
- Provide extra time in class to complete tasks, especially in test-taking or other writing tasks.
- Minimize pressure around homework and assessments.
- Reduce the workload and focus on priority topics.
- Explore assistive technologies such as keyboards and joystick controls.
Learn more about DMD treatment and care
Providing support outside of lessons
Adapting the school day for children with DMD goes beyond the classroom. From lunch to P.E., a number of changes can help students participate while meeting their health needs.
Adapting physical activities
A day at school for children with DMD can be tiring in itself; participation in physical activities like sports needs to be tailored to each individual child or teenager.
- Avoid strenuous activity, since in DMD it can lead to muscle damage.
- Keep an eye on fatigue levels following sports and other physical activity, and make the activity easier next time if needed.
- Conserve the child’s energy by modifying their involvement, while maintaining the fun dynamic; this could look like a child being the scorekeeper or assistant coach.
- Draw on the help of sport staff or a physical therapist to find adjustments to activities.
- Include stretching and regular breaks.
- Choose activities that appeal to a diverse range of physical strength and ability so that children with DMD can enjoy the experience. Options include marbles, badminton, balloon volleyball or toss/target games.
Adapting social activities
Social interaction, sharing experiences and enjoying playtime with peers is an important part of school life for all ages, regardless of physical or learning difficulties. There are ways to facilitate this for children living with DMD.
- Ensure an adapted seating area for recess and lunch breaks that can accommodate a wheelchair if necessary.
- Encourage playtime activities that fit all levels such as creative activities related to art or music.
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