A ‘hidden’ disability refers to a disability that may not be visible at a glance, but can have a major impact on people's lives. They can arise from conditions such as epilepsy, autism, diabetes and acquired brain injuries. Invisible disability, or hidden disability is an umbrella term that captures a whole spectrum of disabilities or challenges that are primarily neurological in nature.
There is no definitive list of hidden disabilities but examples include:
- Autism
- Attention Deficit-Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADD/ADHD)
- Brain injuries
- Crohn’s Disease
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, and language processing disorder
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Visual and auditory disabilities - These may be invisible if someone wears contact lenses and a hearing aid
You can find more information on our Useful Links page.