Childhood Development
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy apart from affecting physical development has a large impact on a childs psychological development. Children with DMD are more likely to have developmental, behavioral, and emotional disabilities. “Medication, fatigue, physical limitations, family stress, and difficulty coping with the diagnoses of DMD can also lead to psychosocial problems” (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, 2015 ). Between ages 7-12 the child becomes fully reliant on a wheelchair. It is between these ages that children become aware of their disability this often affects social and emotional development. They may have a more difficult time fitting in with their peers because they are unable to participate in activities. Insecurities with the feeling of helplessness and low self-esteem may also keep the child from trying to participate in activities, because they feel embarrassed when assistance is required. Many children have a difficult time accepting this disability which can lead to emotional issues (anger problems), when they have difficulty coping with it. It is important that parents play a large supporting role as their child develops. Parents need to encourage their child to participate in social activities and help their child to feel independent. It is recommended that a child be evaluated at least once a year by a health care professional.
DMD does sometimes affect brain development. Serious mental problems are not normally an issue, but about one third of children diagnosed with DMD do have some form of a learning disability. Children with DMD who do have a disability usually struggle in three areas; focusing, verbal learning/short term memory, and emotional interactions. Difficulty with cognition can also be noted in some cases.
https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/signs-and-symptoms
http://www.parentprojectmd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Care_area_psychosocial
DMD does sometimes affect brain development. Serious mental problems are not normally an issue, but about one third of children diagnosed with DMD do have some form of a learning disability. Children with DMD who do have a disability usually struggle in three areas; focusing, verbal learning/short term memory, and emotional interactions. Difficulty with cognition can also be noted in some cases.
https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/signs-and-symptoms
http://www.parentprojectmd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Care_area_psychosocial