Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition which causes muscles to weaken. It is a progressive disorder, meaning that as time goes by the level of disability will increase. Typically muscular dystrophy begins by affecting a particular group of muscles before affecting muscles more widely.

Muscular dystrophy can be life-limiting as it can spread to the muscles that control breathing and the heart.

There are seven forms of muscular dystrophy which affect different groups of muscles, have differing impacts on life-expectancy and differing ages of development.

Children with muscular dystrophy tend to need physiotherapy, special forms of exercise, physical aids, assistance with postural difficulties, steroids, beta-blockers and other medication.

Muscular dystrophy is a disability and typically results in special educational needs (SEN). Typically, children with muscular dystrophy will require the additional support of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It is important to ensure that the Plan contains specified and quantified levels of support in education, health and social care as needs arise in all areas.