Support and Services
Support works best when it connects people, not just information.
Good information matters, but real support usually comes from people and organisations who understand restricted growth first hand. This page lists national charities and community groups that are genuinely active, along with general guidance on rights, benefits and education support.
National organisations
The organisations below are established charities or nonprofits with a specific focus on restricted growth and dwarfism. They are listed here because they are currently active and independently verifiable, not because of any partnership with this site.
A UK charity founded in 1970, supporting people with restricted growth and their families through information, peer connection and campaigning. rgauk.org
A UK-registered charity offering friendship, support and advice to people with dwarfism, their families and friends. littlepeopleuk.org
A US-based nonprofit providing support, information, local chapters and an annual conference for people of short stature and their families. lpaonline.org
A UK sporting charity that makes sport and recreation accessible to people with restricted growth, from grassroots activity to competitive events. dsauk.org
Disability rights and benefits
Restricted growth can, depending on its impact on a person's daily life, be considered a disability under UK equality law, which means protection from discrimination and a right to reasonable adjustments at work and in public services. Whether a particular benefit applies depends on individual circumstances, so it is best assessed directly with the relevant government department rather than assumed from general information.
Citizens Advice and local authority welfare rights services can help work through what support may be available, and a GP or specialist clinic can provide the medical evidence often needed for an application.
Education support
Children with restricted growth may need adjustments at school, such as accessible furniture, adapted equipment, or support around physical activities. Schools in the UK are required to consider reasonable adjustments for pupils with a disability, and a request can usually start with a conversation with the school's special educational needs coordinator.
Parent-focused charities, including those listed above, often have direct experience helping families raise these conversations with schools and can offer practical suggestions that have worked for other children.
Connecting with peers
Many people find that meeting others with restricted growth, whether online or in person, is one of the most valuable forms of support available. National charities run local groups, regional meet-ups and annual conferences where members can build lasting friendships and share practical, lived experience.
For someone newly diagnosed, or a parent adjusting to a child's diagnosis, these communities are often a gentler and more relatable starting point than clinical information alone.
Common questions
Where can I find support?
National charities such as the Restricted Growth Association UK, Little People UK, and Little People of America offer information, community and, in some cases, local groups. A GP or specialist clinic can also point toward relevant local services.
Is there a national charity?
Yes. In the UK, the Restricted Growth Association UK and Little People UK are established charities supporting people with restricted growth. In the United States, Little People of America performs a similar role.
How do I connect with others?
National organisations run local meet-ups, regional groups and annual conferences. Online communities linked to these charities are often a good first step, particularly for people who are newly diagnosed or live somewhere without a nearby group.
Is there help for parents?
Yes. Several of the organisations above offer parent-specific support, including contact with other parents, information about childhood development and equipment, and guidance on working with schools and clinics.
Finding the right support is rarely about one single resource. It is usually a combination: a national charity for community and advocacy, practical guidance on rights and benefits, and, where needed, adjustments at work or school built around the person, not a generic template.
See Everyday Life and Mobility for practical adaptations, or Mental Wellbeing for support with emotional health. For background on restricted growth itself, start with What is Restricted Growth?