Dwarfism by Kimmy https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if Some Background to Better Inform You and the Classroom en-us 2017-09-20 21:00:12 UTC 2025-05-02 12:34:22 UTC hello@padlet.com What to refer her to as... kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189544246 While most people with dwarfism are okay with being called a "little person" or a "person with short stature," they are definitely NOT okay with being called a midget. Instead of putting a label on her though, please just refer to her as Olivia.]]> 2017-09-20 21:04:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189544246 What is Dwarfism? kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189545092 Dwarfism is usually characterized by having a short statues, usually being no taller than 4'10" as an adult. There is nothing wrong with their intelligence. There are different types of dwarfism, but Achondroplasia is the most common type, affecting roughly 1 in 15,000 -40,000 people. Achondroplasia causes your arms and legs to be disproportional with your trunk and your head. Dwarfism can complicate some parts of Olivia's life, but as long as she keeps up with regular doctor visits, things can stay very stable. ]]> 2017-09-20 21:08:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189545092 Some Accommodations That Are Needed kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189546747
  • Olivia may have trouble opening the door for herself because of her height and because of this, the handicapped button that automatically opens the door may have to be lowered, unless a permanent step can be added below the button
  • Her comfortability in the classroom is very important so that she can be successful. In the event that she is not able to sit with her back against the back rest and with her feet touching the floor, she will need a lowered desk and chair, or cushions that raise her up to the normal height of the desk
  • Outside of the classroom, I am also worried about the school being set up for her success. I request that stools are to be provided in bathrooms and cafeterias and that there are tables and chairs that are accessible and comfortable for her and her friends to access and utilize in the library and lunch areas. 
    • ]]>     2017-09-20 21:15:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189546747     kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189550508 2017-09-20 21:32:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189550508 References To Pass Along to Parents kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189552412 Should other parents have questions about how to explain Olivia's condition to their children, please refer them to these websites. They offer descriptions that are easy to break down for children:

    http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dwarfism.html#

    https://medlineplus.gov/dwarfism.html#summary
    ]]>     2017-09-20 21:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189552412     References for Success in the Classroom kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189553565 If you are looking for any other accommodations that you feel should be made, or the adaptive equipment that may be required, please refer to this link:

    http://www.lpaonline.org/assets/documents/School%20Accommodations%20LPA.pdf

    Here are some of the steps that we need to take to set up a 504 plan for her:

    www.lpaonline.org/assets/documents/504Guidelines_pre_and_el.doc]]>     2017-09-20 21:50:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189553565     An Extra Bit of Background kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189559867 I know some adults are not very familiar with the details of this condition as well and if parents will be working in the classroom, I would also like them to have some background knowledge.  If you could pass along this resource to parent volunteers I would greatly appreciate it!

    Here is a quick run down of some characteristics and affects of dwarfism: https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Dwarfism.aspx

    ]]>     2017-09-20 22:38:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189559867     Some Complications That May Come with Dwarfism kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189560449 I know my daughter might look different from the other kids, but she's no different personality wise. As a teacher, parent volunteer, or anyone else that may involved in the classroom, I wanted to make aware some visual differences that may occur:

    • Crowded teeth
    • Delays in motor skills development
    • Weight gain that can place pressure on the nerves and create more problems with joints and the spine

    Below is a link to more complications that may occur over the course of her life:

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dwarfism/basics/complications/con-20032297
    ]]>     2017-09-20 22:44:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189560449     kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189562471 Olivia's future success does not rely on how she looks or the make up of her body. There have been many highly successful people with dwarfism, such as Peter Dinklage, an Emmy award winning actor and 

    Ellie Simmonds, a British Paralympian that has won 5 gold medals and set 2 different world records in swimming.

    ]]>     2017-09-20 23:05:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189562471     kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189563740 2017-09-20 23:19:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189563740 kimmyvucinic https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189563757 2017-09-20 23:19:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kimmyvucinic/ii3m8uesb7if/wish/189563757