Workers in Japan Worry about Disclosing their Developmental Disabilities

Extract from SPA! via Yahoo! Japan

March 19 2023

JAPAN – Awareness of developmental disabilities is increasing year by year. It used to be thought that it was a problem for children, but now it is becoming known that a certain percentage of adults also have developmental disabilities. As a result, there are more people who suspect that “I might be the same”, and confusion is occurring in the workplace. We followed the front line of “adult developmental disabilities” that your colleagues and subordinates may also have.

“This year, I was just diagnosed with a developmental disability. I would like to tell people I have a lot of work to do, but I’m worried that my workplace won’t accept it, so I’m alone. If there was a consultation desk at my workplace that I could talk to about it with confidence. Thank you, but…” (Female, 30s)

Working while hiding a developmental disability in this way is called “closed work,” while revealing it to others is also called “open work.”

Although a colleague in the same department followed me… However, even if you tell the workplace, your anxiety will not go away. In particular, “how far to disclose” is a headache for both parties and people around them.

“In my case, I only tell people in the same department that I have a developmental disability. Then I see someone in another department saying, ‘Mr. ….’ A colleague from the same department hurriedly followed up by saying, ‘Don’t say things like that.’

There are many workplaces where there is not even a shred of “reasonable accommodation.”

Some people are troubled by the lack of understanding around them.

“My boss gives me instructions verbally, and no matter how careful I am, I always make mistakes. I told the company that I have a tendency toward developmental disabilities, but my boss said, ‘I don’t understand’.” and it was over.” (Male, 30s)

“Two years ago, I realized that I was in the gray zone of developmental disabilities. I was shocked when I heard gossip saying, “I’m using it.” (Male in his 40s)

There are many workplaces that do not even have a shred of “reasonable accommodation.”