Ep. 94 Noticing the Signs: How Early Educators Can Help Families with Early Diagnosis with Kate Moebel & Dr. Diana Castro

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with grandmother Kate Mobell, whose grandson Shepherd was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy just before kindergarten, and Dr. Diana Castro, a board-certified neurologist and neuromuscular physician. They explain why early educators' daily observations can help families pursue quicker evaluations and referrals, especially when concerns have been minimized. Dr. Castro outlines common early signs of Duchenne—delayed walking, speech delays, fatigue at recess, frequent falls, difficulty with stairs or jumping, toe walking, enlarged calves, and Gower's sign—and notes possible cognitive and learning impacts. The conversation also covers why early intervention matters, how treatments like gene therapy aim to increase dystrophin, and how teachers can document specific behaviors, encourage OT/PT or specialist evaluation, plan for safety needs, and compassionately support families and classmates through education and community resources like CureDuchenne.

00:00 Welcome and Purpose

02:34 Shepherd Diagnosis Story

08:17 Signs Teachers Can Spot

18:47 Learning Library Promo

19:50 Treatments and Gene Therapy

22:42 Access to Gene Therapy

25:05 Schools as Early Advocates

28:01 Supporting Families at School

35:13 Teacher Action Steps and Wrap Up

Download milestone lists by age from birth to age 5 HERE! These can be super helpful in documenting what you see!

https://cureduchenne.org/ has tons of resources for parents who might have a recent diagnosis.