Identifying and Addressing Hidden Disabilities

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Identifying and Addressing Hidden
Disabilities

• Researched, Written and Presented by
• Cindy S. Reed
• Disability Program Navigator
• Finger Lakes Works/Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES

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What are Hidden Disabilities
Definition Hidden Disabilities
can be medical, physical, or mental
conditions not readily visual when first
meeting or observing an individual.
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Difficulties Identifying Hidden Disabilities

• Individuals learn ways to compensate over
• a period of time.
• Get others to write
• Ask for directions to be repeated
• Absenteeism
• Avoidance of activities
• Acting out behaviors (anger, fighting, refusal)
• Frustration

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Remember Not all disabilities are
apparent. What do you do to determine if
a person has a hidden disability?

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Determining Hidden Disabilities

• 3 Most Common Ways
• Self-Disclosure
• Observation
• Diagnoses

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Self-Disclosure

• Individual verbal states disability
• Disability checked on the OSOS forms

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• Observation
• Person may
• Act or behavior with certain mannerisms
• Unable to follow simple directions
• Have difficulty writing information such as
• completing applications
• Have difficulty sitting or standing
• Appear fatigued

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Diagnosing an Hidden Disability

• Diagnostic tests are available for specific
  disabilities.
• These tests, generally speaking, require
  administration by a licensed or certified
  professional such as a psychologist or
  psychiatrist.

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What next?

• Discuss the possibility of disability with the
  individual in a manner not to offend or scare the
  person
• Let the person know that there is assistance for
  her or him
• Give information about agencies that provide
  services
• Assist with linkage to agency or agencies
• Provide referral information materials and
  applications if available
• Assist with contacts to intake personal of the
  agencies

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Identifying Hidden DisabilitiesList of Most
Common Hidden Disabilities

• Cognitive Disabilities
• Learning Disabilities
• Reading Dyslexia
• Writing Dysgraphia
• Math Dyscalula
• Traumatic (or Acquired) Brain Injury
• Mental Retardation

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Most Common Hidden Disabilities (contd)

• Psychiatric Disabilities
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Panic Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias (heights, water, dark, etc.)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (worry, tension)
• Schizophrenia

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List of Common Hidden Disabilities (contd)

• Personality Disorders
• Antisocial
• Avoidant
• Borderline
• Dependent
• Histrionic
• Narcissistic
• Obsessive Compulsive
• Paranoid
• Schizoid
• Schizotypal

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List of Common Hidden Disabilities (contd)

• Respiratory Disabilities
• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
• Cleaning Products
• Perfume
• Carpeting
• Air Freshener
• Magic Markers

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Other Possible Hidden Disabilities

• Hearing Impairment and Deafness
• Vision Problems
• Cataracts
• Color Blindness
• Some other forms of blindness or blurred vision

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Other Possible Hidden Disabilities Other Health
Impairments (OHI)

• ADHD
• AIDS/HIV
• Alcoholism
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Drug Addiction
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia

• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Heart Conditions
• Hepatitis
• Little Person (Dwarfism)
• Migraine Headaches
• Sleep Disorders
• Thyroid Disorders

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Some Possible Referrals/Recommended Agencies

• VESID
• ARC
• Karl D. Warner Clinic
• Behavioral Health Services
• County Mental Health
• Mental Health Clinics
• Diagnostic Services
• Individuals Physician
• Workforce Staff as appropriate
• ODEP Office of Disability Employment Policy
• Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
• Local Community College
• Literacy Volunteers

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Resources for Employers and Others
Disability Etiquette Booklet Website
http//www.unitedspinal.org/documents/DownLoad/Dis
abilityEtiquette.pdf This booklet has excellent
information on how to service an individual
with disabilities and has a section specific to
Hidden Disabilities.
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Resources

• Job Accommodations Network
• www.jan.wvu.edu
• Once at the site, go to search and key
• Hidden Disabilities
• Takes you to ADA Regulations and Rehabilitation
  Act

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Further Assistance

• Contact
• Cindy S. Reed
• Disability Program Navigator
• Finger Lakes Works/Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES
• 131 Drumlin Court, Eisenhower Building
• Newark, New York 14513-1863
• Phone [phone]
• Email creed_at_wflboces.org