As the beginning of the school year quickly approaches, PPMD is working to support your family and help you plan for a successful classroom experience, whether it be in-person or virtual.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our recently updated Education Matters, a series of comprehensive guides for parents and teachers with the goal of optimizing the learning environment for children, teens, and adults living with Duchenne.

PPMD’s Care Team will also be hosting a back-to-school webinar series taking place over the next two weeks to tackle questions and concerns from the community.

Education Matters

Originally developed in 2005, the newly updated Education Matters included separate guides for parents and for teachers to navigate topics including how to talk about Duchenne, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and an overview of medical considerations and therapies. This recent update, led by PPMD’s Kathi Kinnett, emphasizes a team approach between the teacher, parent, and student, with volumes separated by academic level. By offering more age-specific considerations, these guides take a deeper dive into learning and behavioral considerations, classroom accommodations and resources, and medical management of Duchenne.

Download PPMD’s updated Education Matters for Parents and Teachers:

• Education Matters Volume 1: Diagnosis and Early Childhood (ages 2-9)
• Education Matters Volume 2: Late Childhood and Early Adolescence (ages 10-15)
• Education Matters Volume 3: Late Adolescence and Adulthood (ages 16+)

Order Your Guide >

Back-to-School Webinar Series

Join us for PPMD’s back-to-school webinar series tackling questions and concerns the community has about both in-person and virtual learning environments. PPMD’s Care Team will be joined by leading experts from our network of Certified Duchenne Care Centers, as well as families who, like you, are navigating this unprecedented time.

Webinars in this Series

• Part 1: Planning for a Safe and Successful Return to School
  Wednesday, August 12 at 1:00 PM EDT
  Register
• Part 2: Thriving in the Virtual Classroom
  Wednesday, August 19 at 1:00 PM EDT
  Register

Family Friday on Facebook Live

Following each webinar on Friday, August 14, and Friday, August 21, visit the PPMD Facebook page at 12:00 PM EDT and join educators and parents from the Duchenne community to discuss navigating IEPs, 504s, and other learning accommodations with your learning environment in mind.

We would like to thank the following contributors of Education Matters:

• Development team:
  • Kathi Kinnett, MSN, APRN
  • Rachel Schrader, MS, APRN, CPNP-PC
  • Amanda Wilkison, RN, BSN
  • Molly Colvin, PhD
  • Denise Gruender
  • James Poysky, PhD
  • Natalie Truba, PhD
  • Seth Sorensen, PhD
• Editing team:
  • Ellen Wagner
  • Joanna Johnson
  • Gretchen Egner
  • Tayjus Surampudi
  • Angela Knight