Students with Dwarfism in Schools

By Aminullah Adel
June 24, 2023
Summary of the case:

As a diverse classroom has students from different backgrounds, children with dwarfism can also be part of the

classroom. Teachers and school admiration should pay attention to the rights and dignity of all children regardless

of their shape, color, and appearance. According to Kathy Larboard (2003), the premise "one teaching style fits

all," is not working for a growing number of diverse, student populations. Therefore, it is required for teachers

and schools to understand that the classroom is for every child from anywhere and in any condition. As

recommended by Digital Promise Global (2017), schools should stop treating all students the same. So, dwarf

children are the key members of the classroom that teachers and schools should consider in the learning process. In

my understanding, it is crucial that teachers and students respect children with dwarfism. The school should have a

positive and supportive perception toward sward children. According to http://www.lpaonline.org, there is a need

for changing public perception toward children with dwarfism or disabilities.

What is Dwarfism at school?

According to Mayo Clinic (2018), dwarfism is short stature that results from a genetic or medical condition. And
it is caused by changes in bone and cartilage growth (Schelhaas, 2023). Students with dwarfism need extra effort
and time from the school and the teachers due to mobility, attendance, and other issues. Though dwarfism does not
typically affect intellectual ability. They can go to school, do a job, have a family, and raise children. (Schelhaas,
2023) in General, if we exclude dwarfism, dwarf people can do what normal people do, however, they may have
some limitations.

For support dwarfism, schools and teachers should consider the following:

• Deal the dwarf children with respect and include them in all learning processes,

• Seating arrangement is important for children with dwarfism. Teacher should sit the children with the

dwarfism in the front line or in a location that is comfortable for the respective children.

• Teacher should consider that child with dwarfism needs give extra time to for getting to and from classes.

There might be a need for a rump so that children with dwarfism can get into class easily (Schelhaas, 2023),

• Teacher and school administration should know that children with dwarfism may miss some assignments or

class time due to medical visits (Schelhaas, 2023),

• School should support children with dwarfism with stepstools for washrooms, water fountains, classroom door,

chairs, table,s and other areas to promote independence (Schelhaas, 2023),

• Use rewards in order to reinforce appropriate learning behavior by students in class. This can be in any form

(Algahtani, 2017),

Example of a dwarfism case in my brother’s school

As seen an example of a dwarf child in my brother’s school in our district in Afghanistan, children have been
teasing abnormal children or do not want to deal with them normally. My brother could stop children from such
negative action without realizing this by the child with dwarfism.

References:

1. Algahtani, F. (2017). Teaching students with intellectual disabilities: Constructivism or

behaviorism? Educational Research and Reviews, 12(21), 1031-1035. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2017.3366.

2. Bielefeld, K. (n.d.). The seven dwarfs of the classroom. The Seven Dwarfs of the Classroom.
https://blog.mimio.com/the-seven-dwarfs-of-the-classroom
3. Digital Promise Global. (2017 January 3). The growing diversity in today’s

classroom. http://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/lps-growing_diversity_FINAL-1.pdf

4. EBSCOhost Research Platform: EBSCO. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. (2003).

https://www.ebsco.com/products/ebscohost-research-platform

5. Home. (n.d.). http://www.lpaonline.org/

6. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, August 17). Dwarfism. Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dwarfism/symptoms-causes/syc-20371969

7. Schelhaas, A. (Ed.). (2023, May). Dwarfism factsheet (for Schools) (for parents) - nemours kidshealth.

KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dwarfism-factsheet.html.

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