Needing Guidance in America
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 8:42 pm
I was diagnosed with DCD aka Dyspraxia about 6 months ago at the age of 48. I was having serious problems completing the surgical nursing part of a vet tech training program. I always knew I had some motor coordination issues, but what I didn’t know about was all of the neurocognitive issues that come with Dyspraxia: short term memory issues, difficulty understanding complex instructions (I have to have it written out or have it demonstrated or repeated several times), difficulty with organization, keeping things neat, doing things quickly, time management, and difficulty presenting myself in a good way. I also have a hard time expressing myself in real time, social anxiety, depression, and some avoidant behaviors; which I know are common to people with dyspraxia.
Looking back, I can see how all of these factors had a role in many of the big disasters of my life. Now that I know for sure I have a disability and am working on getting a job with a career specialist, I have some questions on how I should handle myself with DCD in the work place.
1. Are there any other American Dyspraxics who would know what our rights and protections are under the Americans with Disabilities Act or where to look it up?
2. Is there anything wrong with being honest about it to an employer? My therapist doesn’t think I should disclose my disability, but frankly I am tired of trying to pass as not having it and being treated like I mess things up on purpose, I hate lying and am not good at it, and eventually, I am going to need to be pro-active and ask for some kind of accommodation. FYU: I have been out with it in Social Media, so they’re likely to find out anyway.
3. Do you have any advice for bringing up DCD to an employer and how to explain it to them?
4. What kind of accommodations have you found useful to request?
By the way, I am copying my questions to my blog, but not the answers. I have been telling people that I was going to write about dyspraxia, but I’ve been so busy with the job hunt or I get myself in a writing rabbit hole and get away from my original topic. Hopefully, I will be able manage time well enough to write something better in the future.
Looking back, I can see how all of these factors had a role in many of the big disasters of my life. Now that I know for sure I have a disability and am working on getting a job with a career specialist, I have some questions on how I should handle myself with DCD in the work place.
1. Are there any other American Dyspraxics who would know what our rights and protections are under the Americans with Disabilities Act or where to look it up?
2. Is there anything wrong with being honest about it to an employer? My therapist doesn’t think I should disclose my disability, but frankly I am tired of trying to pass as not having it and being treated like I mess things up on purpose, I hate lying and am not good at it, and eventually, I am going to need to be pro-active and ask for some kind of accommodation. FYU: I have been out with it in Social Media, so they’re likely to find out anyway.
3. Do you have any advice for bringing up DCD to an employer and how to explain it to them?
4. What kind of accommodations have you found useful to request?
By the way, I am copying my questions to my blog, but not the answers. I have been telling people that I was going to write about dyspraxia, but I’ve been so busy with the job hunt or I get myself in a writing rabbit hole and get away from my original topic. Hopefully, I will be able manage time well enough to write something better in the future.