title: The psychosocial and cognitive impact of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most prevalent and devastating of neuromuscular disorders. Children given this diagnosis not only face inevitable deterioration of physical functioning, but they also become susceptible to emotional/behavioral problems, as well as reduced cognitive functioning and learning problems. This article (1) reviews the emotional/behavioral issues that may impact the child with DMD and the affected child's family members and caregivers; (2) examines the research describing the cognitive and learning issues associated with DMD; (3) provides recommendations for physicians who work with these families; and (4) recommends directions for future research that will help to further elucidate emotional/behavioral issues and cognitive and learning correlates of DMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas 75219-3993, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Polakoff
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rios
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008568:Memory; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012801:Sibling Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014706:Verbal Learning