Movement Disorders

Common Functional Limitations

  1. Physical limitations:

    • Shaking (tremors), muscular control and cramping, poor coordination, and balance problems,

    • Abnormal eye movements or eye movements so severe as to functionally cause blindness,

    • Constipation,

    • Sleep disorders such as insomnia.

  2. Language and communication:

    • Inability to write legibly,

    • Weakness in or inability to control speech,

    • Tics that can involve the voice or parts of the body and are seen in Tourette's syndrome.

  3. Psychosocial limitations:

    • Intellectual deterioration,

    • Personality changes,

    • Confusion,

    • Hallucinations,

    • Memory loss,

    • Fainting,

    • Dementia.

  4. Complications:

    • Permanent physical deformities,

    • Disabilities that affect the ability to perform day-to-day activities,

    • Social misunderstanding of the disorder,

    • Pain and fatigue,

    • Muscle aches and pains,

    • Rigid or stiff muscles.

  5. Other commonly associated problems:

    • Depression,

    • Reactions to certain drugs,

    • Anxiety, stress, and tension,

    • Lack of support systems.

Vocational Impediments

Not available in The Disability Handbook.

Accomodations

Fine Motor (Writing, Keyboarding, Gripping)

  • Implement ergonomic workstation design

  • Provide alternative computer access and alternative mice designed to reduce the effects of spasticity

  • Provide alternative telephone access such as auto-dialers, gooseneck holders, hands-free telephones, headsets, and speech recognition integration

  • Provide arm supports

  • Provide writing and grip aids

  • Provide a page turner and a book holder

  • Provide a note taker or tape recorder

Communicating

  • Provide speech amplification, speech enhancement, or other communication device

  • Use written communication, such as email or fax

  • Transfer to a position that does not require a lot of communication

  • Allow periodic rest breaks

Dealing with Fatigue

  • Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

  • Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

  • Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

  • Allow work from home

  • Implement ergonomic workstation design

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

  • Provide praise and positive reinforcement

  • Refer to counseling and employee assistance programs

  • Allow telephone calls during work hours to support person

  • Allow the presence of a support animal

  • Allow breaks as needed

Temperature Sensitivity

  • Adjust work-site temperature

  • Use cooling or heating clothing

  • Use fan/air-conditioner/space heater at the workstation

  • Allow flexible scheduling and flexible use of leave time

  • Allow work from home during extreme hot or cold weather

Performing Activities of Daily Living

  • Allow use of a personal attendant at work

  • Allow use of a service animal at work

  • Provide grip aids

  • Allow longer breaks

List of accommodations was downloaded from the Job Accommodation Network at http://askjan.org/soar/other/esstremor.html.