Should sport psychology professionals care about hidden disabilities and conditions?

In this article, the authors assert that sport psychology professionals (SPPs) and other key support personnel (e.g. coaches, sport medicine professionals, etc.) should maintain a sensitivity (e.g. indicators, impact upon participation and performance, special considerations, techniques, etc.) to hidden disabilities and conditions (HDCs) in their professional practice and work with youth athletes (i.e. children, adolescents). This assertion is based upon years of performance consulting and coaching, but also a growing and corroborating literature (Braun & Braun, 2015; Ludyga et al., 2023; Munn et al., 2022). Fundamentally, HDCs are common, and practitioners and coaches are likely to encounter cases (whether disclosed or not) in their work. HDCs can impact performance given the inherent sensory, cognitive, muscular, and functional processes (Braun & Braun, 2015; Lieberman & Childs, 2020; Osborn, n.d.; Stanley & Baghurst, 2022). SPPs may be equipped to consult and refer according to the needs and exceptionalities of their youth clients with HDCs (e.g. clinical psychologists, educational specialists, physical therapists, etc.). SPPs may also advocate on behalf of clients (with families, educators, coaches, professionals) to enable unique needs being met and help generate appropriate strategies. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of HDCs, their prevalence and implications for athletic participation and performance. Thereafter, suggestions for SPPs in their work with these youth athletes will be discussed, including considerations for approaches and intakes, action plans, and HDC specific modification ideas. First, a brief introduction to disability in sport is warranted.