This document provides information on muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. It defines muscular dystrophy as a group of inherited muscle diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness. Cerebral palsy is damage to the brain that affects body movement and muscle coordination, and can occur before, during, or after birth. Both conditions affect physical abilities, and may impact behavior, learning, and school performance. Educational accommodations and community resources are discussed.

1. CEREBRAL PALSY
A
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
N
D
Brittany Perkins and Shari Labonte

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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depression, being withdrawn and solitary and having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.

5. 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

6. 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/

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS
Children with Cerebral Palsy may have attention
disorders, speech, and language disorders.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Abnormal muscle
tone
Poor motor control
Abnormal reflexes
Balance and movement
problems
Muscle weakness

13. 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.

14. RESOURCES
www.cerebralpalsy.org
Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Care Giving
By Freeman Miller, Steven J. Bachrach
www.ucp.com
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/cebral_palsy
www.caringforcerebralpalsy.com

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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
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