Challenges in the care of the retarded child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Recent psychological testing and neuropathologic studies support the occurrence of relative retardation, an in some cases severe retardation, in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle deterioration and wasting are associated with the natural progression of the disease. Progressive physical weakness can be described in the following stages: early, walking, wheelchair, and late. The more emotionally mature the family, the more effective they are in coping at each stage of the disease. Nevertheless, a constant stress is present in all families. This stress can increase or plateau at the various stages and as new problems are encountered. When mental retardation is significant, the stress on the family become even more marked.