Step 2 β€’ Walking & Active

Walking & Active

Helping your child stay active, independent, and engaged while preparing for the years ahead.

During this stage, many children with Duchenne continue walking, going to school, playing with friends, traveling, and participating in everyday family life.

You may also begin noticing changes that weren't present a few years ago. Walking becomes more tiring. Falls may happen more often. Climbing stairs takes longer. New therapies, equipment, and specialists may begin entering the conversation.

This stage isn't about losing independence.

It's about protecting it.

The goal is to help your child stay active, healthy, and engaged in the things they love for as long as possible while making thoughtful decisions that prepare for the future.

What matters at this stage

  • Work with physical and occupational therapists on stretching, positioning, and safe activity
  • Talk with your neurology team about corticosteroids and their role in this window
  • Plan for school accommodations, IEPs, 504 plans, and social inclusion
  • Keep up with heart and breathing monitoring, even before symptoms appear
  • Explore ambulatory-focused clinical trials and emerging therapies

Tools for this stage

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