1. Development and Validation of
the Hidden Disabilities
Questionnaire
Presented by Glenys Heap
Head of Educational Development
gheap@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

2. Aims
• To provide a tool to help identify an individuals
strengths and weaknesses.
• To have practice at using the tool.
• To identify where individuals can be signposted for
intervention.

3. Factors affecting
literacy,
communication
www.flickr.com/photos/68845396@N00/447239398/
& behaviour

4. Literacy
Experience
Communication
Education
Environment
Behaviour
Emotions
www.flickr.com/photos/68845396@N00/447239398/

5. Individual Differences
Caution needs to be exercised in
interpreting the results
for any individual.
This is not a diagnostic tool!

6. Purposes of the Screening Tool
• Highlight areas of difficulty
1. Literacy
2. Organisation and Memory
3. Co-ordination
4. Numeracy
5. Confidence

7. Steps forward
• How many individuals have Hidden
Disabilities?
• Dyslexia Action Study commissioned by
Learning and Skills Council

8. Summary of Findings
• 50% of Prison Population have literacy skills
below functional levels
• 20% of Prison Population have Hidden
Disabilities impacting on literacy skills
• Three to four times the incidence in the
general population

9. Summary
• Approximately half the prison population have
below functional levels of literacy
• For some, this is related to social and
environmental reasons; however
• One in three of those with literacy difficulties
show some features of hidden disabilities
and will require specialist help

10. HDQ2
• 32 Item Questionnaire
• Contact Dr John Rack
Head of Research and Professional Development
jrack@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

11. Hidden Disabilities Questionnaire
Do you find filling in forms (e.g.
job applications) difficult and
• Spelling, writing, spatial skills
confusing?
Do you sometimes know what
you want to say but cannot find
• Word retrieval
the words to say what you mean?
Do you get bored easily and like to • Concentration and Attention
flick between different activities?
Do you seem to bump into things
or knock things over more than
• Spatial awareness, motor co-
other people? ordination

12. Factor 1
When you are listening to
Do you find filling in forms something being said do
difficult and confusing? you find that you often
need more time than
others to understand
If you have to copy what has been said
something down does it
take a long time?
Do you find it hard to follow
what people are saying in
a group situation?
Literacy
Language

13. Factor 2
Do you mix up dates and times When you have been talking to
and miss appointments? someone do you often
forget to mention
something important you
Do you have to write meant to say?
appointments down straight Do you find time keeping and
away because otherwise self-organisation is a
you will forget them? problem that affects your
work?
Memory Organisation

14. Factors 3 and 4
Were you one of the worst at Do you find it easy to do sums
sports and games at school? in your head?
Are you generally happier Do you find it difficult to work
when working on your out how much several items
will cost?
own?
Co-ordination Numeracy

15. Factor 5
Do you find that you easily Do you prefer to have different
make new friends? things on the go at the
same time?
Do you find it hard to do a task
and listen to instructions at
the same time? Are you confident in new
situations?
Confidence/Novelty?