Cart
×
Occupational therapy can make all the difference in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
Occupational therapy for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is unique and requires specific knowledge of the disorder to provide appropriate treatment. It is important that the occupational therapist has an understanding of Duchenne and Becker and the complexities of the diseases, otherwise they risk increasing muscle fatigue and causing harm to the individual.
CureDuchenne Occupational Therapy Program
CureDuchenne offers a high level program of educational opportunities and resources for occupational therapists and allied healthcare professionals who treat those with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Our goal is to help improve the lives of those living with Duchenne and Becker by advancing the knowledge of those who are treating them.
CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapists will receive training on the most current standards of care. Skills will be maintained through ongoing interaction with the CureDuchenne Professional Development Department and annual recertification requirements. The network of CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapists will have the resources they need to provide the best standard of care to their patients. The Duchenne and Becker community will have access to quality care with designated CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapists in their area.
CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapists will:
- Receive ongoing training from the CureDuchenne Professional Development Department
- Receive patient referrals from CureDuchenne
- Be designated as Certified on www.CureDuchenne.org which families regularly access
- Be recognized by patients and health care professionals as a uniquely qualified provider
- Display the CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapist seal for their site, email signature, and materials to demonstrate certification
- Be part of a large network of therapists – for collaboration and consultation
- Be introduced to new families and other local Cure Duchenne Certified Physical Therapists
- Receive notifications of upcoming conferences and courses of interest
CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapist Certification Process and Requirements
Pre-requisite Course, Certification Track and Exam
- Complete the full course, “Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Current understanding and treatment” onsite or online
- Choose the PT or OT Certification Track online and pay the $50 fee for the appropriate Certification course. https://neuromusculared.org/courses/
- Complete the Certification reading list in Step 2
- Upload the required professional documents in Step 3 ; resume and/or CV with a statement of Duchenne experience, proof of state licensure in good standing and photo.
- Pass the Certification exam with 80% accuracy or better
Annual Recertification Requirements
The following list constitutes the minimum standard to maintain the designation of CureDuchenne Certified Occupational Therapist annually.
- Records: Each Certified PT and OT will be expected to notify CureDuchenne of any changes to contact information and if their license is no longer valid or in good standing.
- Webinars: Each Certified PT and OT will be required to attend 2 of the 4 webinars from the current year. “Attendance” is considered attending at least the first 30 minutes of the webinar. If you are unable to attend at the time that they are being presented live, we also offer the option of viewing the recording of the webinar instead in the Professional Webinar Series on www.NeuroMuscularEd.org.
- Research articles: Each Certified PT and OT will be required to read 2 of the 4 articles that are sent and submit answers to the quiz questions each year after the year of original Certification by the deadline on 12/31 of that year.
- All webinars are recorded and available on the education website at: https://neuromusculared.org/courses/cureduchenne-professional-webinar-series Articles and quizzes for the current year are available as well
- Fees: There are no additional fees for re-certification at this time.
For more information contact Education@CureDuchenne.org
CureDuchenne offers two distinct opportunities for occupational therapists and other allied healthcare providers to receive up-to-date continuing education. Live courses are in person and held throughout the United States each year by sponsor organizations. The online version of this course holds all of the valuable information and can be taken at your own pace in any location.
If you have specific questions about treating patients with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, please contact our Professional Development team.
Jennifer Wallace, PT, draws from experience in pediatrics since 2002 with an emphasis in the muscular dystrophy population. She has been invited to present at Duchenne conferences and the Academy of Pediatric PT Annual conference, and has taught continuing education to healthcare professionals since 2009. She is the owner of Duchenne Therapy Network. She continues to practice and provide evaluation, treatment and consultations for those with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.
Contact: jennifer@cureduchenne.org
Doug Levine, PT, is the owner of Growing Places Therapy Services, PLLC. A physical therapist since 1997, he has primarily focused on pediatrics and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since 2006, Growing Places has served over 500 children and their families, providing pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapies in the home, school and daycare settings.
Contact: doug@cureduchenne.org
Occupational therapists work with individuals to use common occupations, such as play, self-care, leisure, social, or education activities, in a therapeutic manner to improve functional independence.
-The main occupations for babies and young children include playing, interacting with other children and caregivers, and learning. OTs work on these occupations by facilitating developmental milestones such as rolling, sitting, reaching, grasping, crawling, visual tracking, feeding, following directions, playing with toys, working on age-appropriate self-care, sensory self-regulation, and social participation.
-The occupations for older children and adolescents include education, engagement in social relationships, and transitioning into adulthood.
A referral for OT must come from your doctor, either the pediatrician/primary care physician or the neurologist/neuromuscular specialist. Once the referral is obtained, the occupational therapist will complete an evaluation and develop goals and a plan of care. Please make sure to let your goals of therapy known during the initial evaluation. Depending on the type of insurance, the evaluation will be sent off to obtain authorization or benefits will be verified before ongoing visits can begin.
OTs work with the client and their family to determine the goals for therapy. Occupational therapists don’t treat the disease itself, but rather the impairments that result from the disease. However, it is important that the therapist has an understanding of Duchenne and Becker and the complexities of the disease, otherwise they risk increasing muscle fatigue and causing harm.
In early childhood, you might seek out OT if your child is having difficulty completing self-care tasks, such as getting dressed, brushing his teeth, or toileting. Some children with Duchenne and Becker have difficulty with sensory processing which results in extreme response or lack of response to different sounds, textures, smells, visual input, or movement. Occupational therapy can help your child lean to process sensory input and manage the resulting behaviors. Another indication to seek OT is some children may also have difficulty with cognition resulting in difficulty at school.
Yes! OT can continue to assist into adulthood using modifications and adaptations for participation in these activities as well as helping with transitioning into higher education, living arrangements or the workforce to improve overall independence.
It is important to remember that occupational therapy is indicated throughout the life of individuals with Duchenne and Becker, but this should be accomplished in phases often referred to as “episodes”. This means that he will receive a period of therapy followed by a break. Skills learned in therapy should continue to be practiced throughout the break. Therapy should be sought out when new issues arise.
