ABSTRACT
It is often difficult for counselors to completely understand the daily lives of IWDs. In this chapter, nine practice guidelines (with their rationales) are presented. These are: 1) recognize the cost-benefit analysis of disclosing an invisible disability; 2) recognize the burden of bureaucracy; 3) do not confuse sympathy with empathy; 4) do not confuse the denial of the disability socially defined role of inferiority and subordinate status with the denial of the disability; 5) respect the client’s assistive technology (AT), understanding that many IWDs have an emotional attachment to their AT; 6) understand the importance of contributing to others; 7) recognize that IWDs often redefine autonomy and independence; 8) encourage mutual support groups; and 9) recognize that sexuality is an important part of IWDs’ identity and life. An extended discussion of differentiation between sympathy and empathy includes 11 distinctions.
