Ever heard of Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Not many people have. It is a rare, progressive disease, affecting the lack of production of the protein dystrophin in the body. It is commonly seen in males and according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (2021), the prevalence of this disability is approximately 6 per 100,000 individuals.
"Little Hercules Duchenne Infographic 060117" by Little Hercules Foundation
This past year, I had the opportunity to work with a student who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Because of this disability, his body quickly regresses, but that did not stop him. His eagerness to come to school and be in my classroom was very evident. I did whatever I could to support his learning and continue his motivation.
When it came to writing, he would struggle. There were days he was a rockstar and would write down everything, but there were days he needed breaks from all those fine motor skills. I would assist him with writing notes, planning his rough drafts, and even the final product; most of the time, it was done on the computer. I did not mind helping him, but I also needed to support the other twenty-one students in my classroom. How do you manage to do both at once?
Assistive technologies for students with disabilities like Duchenne muscular dystrophy are used to complete daily tasks, including in the classroom. In a case study conducted by Kathleen Lane (1986), the research included the use of word processors such as Write On, Prompt, and others for the individuals to use that had various levels of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It concluded the positive use of these assistive technologies, paired with alternative keyboards, supported their learning and ability to complete tasks.
Watch this video to find out how SpeechTexter could potentially be used to solve this ill-structured problem I experienced in my own classroom. This could be a game changer for students not able to write their ideas. Instead, they could use their voice to create it all!
"An Ill-Structured Problem: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Assistive Technology" by Stephanie Check
Check out the checklist I mentioned in my video above! It is a great resource for educators wanting to evaluate different assistive technologies for students with disabilities.
References
Check, S. A. [Stephanie Check]. (2021, July 9). An Ill-Structured Problem: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Assistive Technology [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFgfKeGflU
Heller, K. W., Mezei, P. J., & Avant, M. J. T. (2008). Meeting the assistive technology needs of students with duchenne muscular dystrophy. Journal of Special Education Technology, 23(4), 15-30. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=c471a957-da3e-4f93-b342-6a88306fecd9%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=508037576&db=eft
Lane, H. K. (1986). A case study approach to the use of the microcomputer in the education of children with duchenne muscular dystrophy, University of East Anglia (United Kingdom). ProQuest, http://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/dissertations-theses/case-study-approach-use-microcomputer-education/docview/301390469/se-2?accountid=12598.
Little Hercules Foundation. (2021). Little hercules duchenne [Infographic]. Little Hercules Foundation. https://littleherculesfoundation.org/whats-dmd/
Muscular Dystrophy Association. (n.d.). Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). MDA. Retrieved July 7, 2021 from https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy
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