visible

Called without any parameters, the visible() method returns true if the NumericTextBox is currently visible and false otherwise.
Calling it with a boolean true or false parameter will show and hide the widget.

<input id="number" />
<script type="text/javascript">
    $(function () {
        $("#number").shieldNumericTextBox({});

        $("#number").swidget().visible(false); // hides the controls
  
        console.log($("#number").swidget().visible());  // prints false
  
        $("#number").swidget().visible(true); // shows the controls
    });
</script>