A publication of the Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
JSET Articles Index
Volume 23 Number 4
Meeting the Assistive Technology Needs of Students with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Kathryn Wolff Heller, Peter J. Mezei, and Mary Jane Thompson Avant
Georgia State University
Students with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have a degenerative disease that requires ongoing changes in assistive technology (AT). The AT team needs to be knowledgeable about the disease and its progression in order to meet these students’ changing needs in a timely manner. The unique needs of students with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in regard to AT and adaptations are discussed through three case studies, spanning from elementary to high school. Each case study addresses the differing AT needs for each student, how these needs changed as the disease progressed, and why some AT was rejected. The information provided in this article can assist AT teams as they develop and implement AT plans for their students.
