Disability syndrome: the effects of early vs delayed rehabilitation intervention

1. Disability syndrome occurs when an individual with a work related injury or other disability chooses not to work when it has been medically determined that they are capable of doing so. 2. A possible contributor to the development of disability syndrome includes systems reinforcers or rules that discourage return to work. For example, many attorneys discourage early return to work or modified duty. 3. Early intervention by rehabilitation counselors at the time of injury can facilitate a positive attitude and empower the worker to resist the negative effect of systems reinforcers that discourage early return to work.