Muscular Dystrophy and Assistive Technology

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Muscular Dystrophy andAssistive Technology
Stefanie Arnold Tanea Spencer Katherine Zapata
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What is Muscular Dystrophy?

• Muscular Dystrophy(MD) is a term that describes
  more than 30 genetic muscle diseases. It is
  characterized by progressive muscle weakness and
  degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control
  movement. Specifically in the trunk and lower
  extremities.

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What is Muscular Dystrophy?

• The most common type, Duchenne muscular
  dystrophy, primarily affects boys. The onset is
  between 3 to 5 years. Most are unable to walk by
  age 12, and later may have cardiac problems or
  need a respirator to breathe.

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What is Muscular Dystrophy?

• PROGNOSIS
• Some cases may be mild, while others produce
  severe muscle weakness, functional disability and
  loss of the ability to walk. The atrophy of
  muscle results in chronic weakness and fatigue.
  The muscles affected can be around the pelvis,
  shoulder, and face.

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What is Assistive Technology?

• It helps a child with a disability or special
  need to do something.
• The legal definition is "any item, piece of
  equipment or product system whether acquired
  commercially , modified, or customized, that is
  used to increase, maintain, or improve the
  functional capabilities of individuals with
  disabilities" (20 U.S.C., Chapter 33, Section
  1401(25).

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Muscular Dystrophy, Client Factors and
Performance Skills
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Activities of Daily Living

• Feeding Problems
• Decreased hand muscle weakness
• Limited range of movement
• Loss of function in muscle skills

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Activities of Daily Living

• Feeding Solutions
• The Zonco Mobil Arm Valet has attachments to
  help with feeding, writing, keyboarding, shaving,
  and brushing your teeth. It also clamps easily to
  a table or a wheelchair.

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Activities of Daily Living

• Feeding Solutions
• Larger handled forks, knives and spoons or ones
  with easy-to-grip foam handles.
• Special plates with raised edges so food won't
  slide off.
• Cups with handles or a cut out from which to
  drink.

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Activities of Daily Living
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Activities of Daily Living

• Functional Mobility Problems
• Progressive weakness in shoulders and chest
• Walking difficulty
• Waddling gait
• Poor balance
• Frequent falls

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Activities of Daily Living

• Functional Mobility Solutions
• By age 12, power wheelchair is strongly
  recommended
• Walkers
• Dynamic standers

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Activities of Daily Living

• Adapt-A-Walker
• Children can use this easy-to-move device as a
  standing walker or for scooting around while
  seated. Its features include
• This sturdy PVC walker rolls easily both indoors
  and outdoors. Its suitable for children 4 years
  old to teen/small adult (40"- 60" tall). It can
  also be used for children 36"- 40" tall in the
  standing position, using the seat to rest.

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Activities of Daily Living

• Dynamic Standers
• The Rifton Dynamic Stander rolls easily and
  supports standing from non-weight-bearing to full
  weight-bearing.
• Without the large wheels, the Stander rolls right
  up to the table or a counter for participation in
  crafts and other quiet activities.
• With the optional large wheels in place, children
  have the freedom to explore their surroundings
  alongside their playmates-indoors, as well as on
  level surfaces outdoors.

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Activities of Daily Living

• Atila Posture Walker A bright yellow frame makes
  this rollator walker a favorite with kids. Double
  caster wheels in front make steering easy, and
  rear wheels allow smooth rolling with no need for
  lifting. Hand brakes, adjustable to childs
  ability, provide safety and control. Handy seat
  cushion is a ready support when rests are needed.
  A tray which doubles as a seat support is also
  available. Generous space between wheels
  accommodates wide or uncoordinated gaits.

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Activities of Daily Living

• Finesse 290 Junior
• The robust design is well suited to the typical
  wear and tear caused by children and young adults
  while providing the same functionality and
  comfort in a smaller seat. 
• The F290 Junior can last a child into adulthood
  by simply getting larger systems as your child
  grows.

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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

• Community Mobility Problems
• Marked weakness of muscles of the trunk and
  extremities
• The need to transport power wheelchair

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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

• Community MobilitySolutions
• Wheelchair Van
• For power wheelchair transportation
• Enjoy family vacations
• Outings

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Education

• Education Problems
• Muscles Weaknesses progresses (including lack of
  head control)
• Fatigue quickly
• Reduced fine motor skills decrease of UE
  strength
• Difficulty with taking notes
• Assistance with school materials (lifting a
  books, turning pages, etc.)

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Education

• Education Solutions
• Laptop for easy transport
• Have reading assignments in class computer or
  laptop instead of carrying books
• Trackball
• Onscreen keyboard
• Word prediction
• Scanner

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Education

• On-Screen Keyboard (WiViK ver. 3)
• Any pointing device can be used as input
• All on screen keys work like standard keyboard
• Keys selected are sent to word processor, email,
  web, etc.
• Keyboard can be configured to users needs

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Education

• The Eyegaze Computer System is an eye controlled
  (eye gaze) computer input, communication, and
  environmental control system
• Make selections by looking at keys displaced of
  the screen
• For school
• To turn on/off lights
• Appliances
• Access mouse and keyboard for school tasks
  (including e-mails and internet)

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Play

• Play Problems
• Weakness
• Poor balance
• Weakness of scapular stabilization
• Affects controlled movement of the arms and hands
  during reaching
• Waddling gait
• Fatigue
• Calf muscle pain

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Play

• Play Solutions
• Use computer to play cards or online games
• Virtually reality systems
• Looking glass technology that transport the user
  into imaginary, three-dimensional universe
  created with software
• It can be used for wheelchair drivers education,
  too.

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Play
Switch adapted mouse!

• Game Boy Adapter
• Modified game controller
• Play using switches

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Play

• Rifton Adaptive Tricycles
• Rustler, Ranger, Wrangler. This therapeutic trike
  grows with your child you adjust it all with the
  twist of a knob! Thats right, no tools.
• Adapted tricycles are available for children who
  cannot support themselves in a safe sitting
  position on a moving tricycle

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Play

• Little Chalk Drawer Kit
• Clients create works of art, simply by propelling
  themselves in their wheelchairs or walkers!

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Leisure

• Leisure Activities Problem
• Limited muscle strength
• Shoulders, arms and hands
• Progressive muscle wasting
• Limited mobility
• Ambulates with waddling gait
• Running is difficult or cannot run at all
• Wheelchair use
• Fatigue

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Leisure

• Leisure Activities Solutions
• Bi-Unique Biski
• transfers the skier's movements to the ski, and a
  safety evacuation harness integrated into the
  Glove Seating System

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Leisure

• Double Adjustable Putter
• An adjustable patented pivot assembly allows you
  to adjust the angle of the handle and the head,
  making this putter accessible to clients with
  physical disabilities who are ambulatory or
  wheelchair-bound.

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Leisure

• Bowling Ramp - Freestanding Chrome
• helps people with limited physical strength or
  mobility enjoy bowling.

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References

• www.rifton.com
• www.teachmorelovemore.com
• www.zoncoarm.com
• www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscular_dystrophy
• www.flaghouse.com
• http//prekese.dadeschools.net/primetime.htm
• www.sammonspreston.com
• www.balder.co.uk/home/default.asp