|
|
|
|
||||
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Psychological and behavioural characteristics
The information below has been drawn up by Dr Orlee Udwin of the Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes.
Boys with DMD exhibit a range of intellectual deficits which are non- progressive. They typically have general developmental delay, especially in the acquisition of language and in gross motor development. Although the intellectual abilities of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy tend to be in the low average range, some may have moderate or severe learning difficulties. In adolescence some boys overcome early difficulties and proceed to higher education with appropriate support. Language and communication abilities, and especially spoken language, are usually more severely impaired than visuo-spatial abilities and manual skills. This is an unexpected finding in a disorder that is associated with severe and progressive physical disabilities. There is also a high prevalence of specific learning difficulties, with three-quarters of affected boys who are of normal intelligence having specific problems in reading, spelling and/or numeracy. Deficits in memory and concentration have also been highlighted.
Emotional difficulties are common, particularly anxiety and depressed mood, which is not surprising in young people with a disabling, progressive and life-threatening disorder. Affected boys are also often described as having poor peer relationships and being solitary and withdrawn.
What are the symptoms?
| How is it diagnosed? 
Donate Now
makingcontact.org
Pounds for parents
Subscribe to the 