When teaching students with neuromuscular diseases, remember that:

• They face physical, academic and social challenges.
• Fatigue plays a big part in the student’s school day.
• Learning disabilities are more prevalent in some neuromuscular diseases, but most students with these diseases have the normal range of intelligence.
• Students may need alternative methods (besides written work) of demonstrating academic comprehension.
• With imagination, almost any activity can be adapted to be accessible.
• Helping students make friends enhances their school experience and performance, and cuts down on bullying and teasing.
• Teachers should maintain high expectations of the student’s school performance, no matter how severe the disability.
• Informed, cooperative, accessible schools and strong family-school teams are vital to helping students overcome challenges and get the most out of their educational experience.

As you encourage your student to develop his or her strengths, also remember to draw on your own strengths as a teacher: be creative, empathetic, firm, flexible and — as much as possible — treat your student with neuromuscular disease just like everybody else.