Education

Most children with neuromuscular conditions can be fully included at their local mainstream school, and will receive the best education there, enabling them to reach their full potential. Getting it right is a rewarding experience for all involved and will greatly enrich any school and community.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has produced "Inclusive Education for Children with Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Conditions. Guidance for primary and secondary schools" to support teachers educational advisors and parents.

It addresses the challenges that arise when children with a neuromuscular condition attend mainstream school. It includes practical advice on a range of issues such as adaptations to the physical environment, staff support, school policies and health concerns as well as how to develop a close working partnership with parents and professionals.

An understanding of the specific needs of each child, and how these will change, is essential. This guidance provides detailed information on the effects of a neuromuscular condition and a structured approach to forward planning.

The guidance includes:

The guidance includes:

• Information on the range of neuromuscular conditions affecting children
• A checklist for teachers/educational advisors on the issues, strategies/ approaches and the resources available, broken down by Key Stages 
• Chapters on the roles and responsibilities of staff and professionals, the emotional and psychological issues which may affect the child, health issues, environmental considerations and equipment, educational policies, extended schools provision and transition planning 
• Resource materials for teachers, parents and pupils (including booklets for pupils with a neuromuscular condition and materials for their classmates) in a format that can be photocopied 
• Useful contacts and bibliography

Education Guidelines - downloads

You can download the chapters from "Inclusive Education for Children with Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Conditions - Guidance for primary and secondary schools" here

Education guidelines - downloads

Materials for parents

Download the Parents' checklist from "Inclusive Education for Children with Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Conditions. Guidance for primary and secondary schools" here

Parents' checklist

Materials for children

Download materials for children here

Materials for children

Materials for teachers

Download the materials for teachers section from "Inclusive Education for Children with Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Conditions. Guidance for primary and secondary schools" here

Materials for teachers