The Importance of Energy Conservation for Individuals with Duchenne
School can be an exhausting experience for many individuals. For individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, school can be exhausting both physically and mentally. The principles of energy conservation and work simplification can often provide ways to convert a school day from feelings of exhaustion to enjoyment.
Energy Conservation, related to the human body, is the manner with which daily activities of an individual are performed using a reduced amount of energy/exertion. For example, the act of tying shoes with laces requires much more physical exertion/energy than using Velcro closures. For individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, conserving energy can assist with prolonging his/her ability to actively participate in many tasks.
Routine and Consistency
Routine and consistency are essential components in an individual’s school life. These not only assist with the day to day happenings of school, but also assist with teaching a core character trait of responsibility.
For individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, routine and consistency can assist with their ability to understand and recognize various needs of their bodies.
Where to Start
It is recommended that parents and school based personnel partner together to develop a plan for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Participation and involvement of the individual is also encouraged to ensure the effectiveness of the plan. The type of participation may differ based on factors such as: age, cognitive ability, etc., however it is important that the individual is included in the planning process.
In order to plan an individual’s school day, it is important to capture information regarding activities, time of day, and tasks which lead to increased fatigue in an individual with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. An activity log is a simple tool that can be customized to reflect an individual’s needs.
It is important that an activity log is created in collaboration with the individual’s teacher, parent, and the individual. Once a customized log is created, the initial implementation should be completed over a pre-determined time frame (usually 3-5 school days). Review of the completed log should reveal the specific activities/tasks in need of energy conservation accommodations and/or modifications.
Incentives can also be imbedded in the activity log in order to maintain buy-in from the individual and to teach him/her the importance of energy conservation. With consistent use, an activity log can be a wonderful tool in fostering independence and teaching self-advocacy for the individual with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
It is important to remember that, due to the nature and progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, review of the log should be scheduled at pre-determined intervals (i.e. quarterly, every 6 weeks) over the school year. Additionally, the log should be viewed as a fluid document in order to make necessary adjustments as needed.
Accommodations and Modifications
There are many accommodations and modifications that can be implemented to help individuals with energy conservation and work simplification. The sampling below include: ways to adjust the classroom set-up, ways to eliminate unnecessary physical effort while still being an active participant, advanced planning when possible, and ways to establish priorities.
Here is a sampling of Accommodations and Modifications related to energy conservation:
Why is it so important to adapt physical education for individuals affected by Duchenne?
Squats, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, running, and weight training are examples of typical activities incorporated into physical education. With Duchenne muscular dystrophy, these types of activities lead to muscle damage. It is recommended that such strenuous activities be avoided.
There are many appropriate and safe modifications which can be incorporated into PE activities to continue to provide access for those individuals affected by Duchenne. Several examples include: allowing the individual to lead the class in stretching routines; having the individual serve in the role of team “coach”; participating as score keeper or timer. These modifications maintain the instructional expectation of learning and understanding athletics/sports while avoiding unnecessary demands on their bodies.
Author:
Tiffany L. Cook, MS, CCC-SLP
Sources:
Tiffany L. Cook, MS, CCC-SLP
Jessica Berger, MOT, OTR/L
Doran, P. R. (2016). PANDAS and PAN in School Settings: A Handbook for Educators.