What are Hidden Disabilities?
Blue Daily
| 4 min read
More than 61 million American adults and more than 25% of Americans have a disability, many of which are hidden. A hidden disability is a physical, mental or neurological condition that is not immediately apparent from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses or activities.
What are misconceptions about hidden disabilities?
Because hidden disabilities may not be readily apparent to others, they are prone to misconceptions. While it might seem like hidden disabilities are uncommon or rare, millions of adults in America live with a disability. More than 90% of disabilities may be invisible. The number of Americans who will at some point deal with a temporary or chronic disability is even larger.
One misconception about hidden disabilities is that they are all mental illnesses or cognitive disabilities. Hidden disabilities include diabetes, heart disease, chronic diseases, vision and hearing issues, mobility issues, developmental disorders and emotional disorders.
Another misconception is that hidden disabilities affect people less than a readily apparent disability, such as mobility issues that require a wheelchair. For example, conditions such as chronic migraines are not something others can see, but the migraines can be a significant source of stress and pain. Chronic migraines, like other hidden disabilities, can make daily tasks difficult for those with the condition.
Unfortunately, another myth is that people who have hidden disabilities aren’t truthful about it or are taking advantage of having a disability. Immediately judging and making assumptions about someone who is disabled can perpetuate stigma regarding disabilities. Those in the invisibly disabled community may feel a challenge to prove they are disabled and may feel pressure to hide their pain or exhaustion. They may also put their health at risk to avoid disclosing, which can cause them to feel alienated, alone or self-conscious.
What are examples of hidden or invisible disabilities?
There are many conditions that may be considered a disability and making an exhaustive list is difficult. They can fall under many different categories, including:
Disabilities affecting cognition and emotion
Disabilities that affect cognition, thought patterns, neurological functions and mood may go unnoticed for a while as they do not tend to be obvious to others. These include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can cause confusion, blurry vision, headaches and concentration difficulty, which can lead to trouble completing daily tasks.
- Autism spectrum disorder, which can include challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
- Mental illness such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.
- Stroke, which can cause lasting difficulty with speech, movement and cognition.
- Anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders, which can diminish an employee's ability to enjoy their work and negatively impact their performance and attendance. These disorders can also cause fatigue, restlessness, panic attacks and sound sensitivity.
- Intellectual disabilities, which can cause difficulties with cognition and learning.
Heart disease and heart conditions
Heart, including congenital heart disease, conditions are one of the top five causes of disability. Heart conditions can affect many areas of daily life, reduce mobility and lead to chronic pain.
Diabetes
Diabetes severely inhibits the endocrine system functions and can affect many other areas of health, including the eyes and feet. More than 38 million Americans have diabetes.
Other chronic diseases and autoimmune conditions
An estimated 129 million Americans have a chronic disease or autoimmune condition that are considered disabilities. These conditions can cause physical restrictions such as limited mobility or a need for routine care, as well as chronic pain and other complications. These include:
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Intestinal bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Cancer
How to support individuals with hidden disabilities
The use of braille signage, elevators, ramps and other common Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations often come to mind when thinking about how to accommodate individuals with disabilities. However, accommodations for hidden disabilities are varied and may not be as obvious. Here are ways to support those with hidden disabilities:
Don’t make assumptions
Don’t assume someone else’s intentions and remember everyone is different. People are best able to judge what they can do. Try the following:
- Respond graciously to requests, such as repeating something if asked and providing accommodations.
- Ask for individual preferences, including whether an individual likes person-first or identity-first language, and respect them.
- Apologize if you made an error in one, and work to correct your mistake.
Communicate openly and clearly
To avoid misunderstandings, miscommunication or unnecessary pretext or subtext, communicate openly, clearly and honestly. This can be helpful for everyone, but especially those with intellectual or communicative disorders or autism spectrum disorder.
Practice empathy and understand differences
Remember that not only do people go through life differently, but they act and react differently than you might in a similar situation. Understand that people have differences and diverse backgrounds and use that to practice empathy for those around you.
