Awareness of Students with Diverse Learning Needs,
What the Teacher Needs to Know, Volume 1

Muscular dystrophy is not a single condition. It is the name of a group of approximately 20 muscle disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of muscle fibres. Each particular disorder has specific differences related to the severity of the symptoms, the rate of deterioration, the age group most affected, the extent of the damage and the muscles involved.

Muscular dystrophy is not contagious. It is a genetic disorder caused by a faulty or missing gene, either inherited or occurring as a spontaneous mutation. Through a process not yet understood, the muscles themselves begin to die. As muscle cells break down and fat cells form in their place, the muscle weakens and loses the ability to contract. Usually the voluntary muscles are the most vulnerable, but some forms of muscular dystrophy may also weaken the heart and respiratory (involuntary) muscles.

There are two major types of muscular dystrophy:

• Myotonic muscular dystrophy: inability to relax a muscle after it has contracted. Muscles far from the body's trunk (hands and feet) are affected first.
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy: false growth of muscles, beginning with the thighs and pelvic girdle, give the outward appearance of health and strength while the muscles are actually being replaced by fatty tissue.

Recently new technology and further research have given insight into the causes and diagnosis of muscular dystrophy. At present there is no cure. Early detection and genetic counseling offer greater choice of treatment.