From Sore to Soar

Invisible Disabilities & Related Resources

Invisible Disabilities Week October 15 – 21, 2023.

(ASD, Dyslexia, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Juvenile Diabetes, Epilepsy, Anxiety, Depression, Distress, Speech, Anxiety, Depression)

From a behavior analytic perspective: Invisible disabilities are diverse, complex and disclosure waivers due to stigmas,social disapproval, and misunderstandings. Academic settings can evoke overpowering symptom(s) that are varied, multiple and severe. Symptoms may include but are not limited to fatigue, high cholesterol, digestive problems, headaches, panic attacks, fainting, memory lapses, chronic diarrhea, vertigo, nausea, cold sores, dandruff, tachycardia, low mood, or suicidal depression. Treatment is impacted by medical, social and academic barriers. Incorrect or lack of diagnosis may result from seeing a variety of doctors out of convenience, lack of financial resources, as well as self-insecurity, social pressures, fears, rejection. Untreated difficulties focusing, waking, and completing tasks may be exasperated. Self-medication may not address the underlying cause(s). More education and training on disability inclusion is necessary to improve the well-being of those living with an invisible disability (Sowinska & Tdela, 2023).

Lifelines, Helplines & Hotlines

Supportive Advosources

  • Discover a New Dawn “Dandability”

    • Website: https://www.dandability.org

    • Description: Inclusion of persons with disability in all walks of life and bringing them into the mainstream of society.

  • Invisible Disability Association

    • Website: https://invisibledisabilities.org

    • Description: Advocating for those with invisible disabilities such as illness and pain. Individuals can order a national disability ID, share a memory, engage in advocacy efforts, attend a presentation, or listen to a podcast. Individual disabilities Week is October 15 – 21, 2023.

  • Invisible Disability Project

    • Website: https://www.invisibledisabilityproject.org

    • Description: Helping people with unseen disabilities fight barriers related to personal relationships, health care, community, education, employment, technology, media representation, laws, and policy.

  • $ The Orange Effect Foundation

  • The Understood

    • Website: https://www.understood.org

    • Description: shapes the world for difference with resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive.

THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST

SOAR TO ADVOSOURCE PAGES

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References:

Sowinska, A., Tudela, R. P. (2023). Living with invisible medical disabilities: experiences and challenges of Chilean university students disclosed in medical consultations. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being. 18. 2221905