Disabilities Don’t Always Look The Way You Expect Them To

Invisible disabilities are a growing issue that impacts children on the spectrum, their families, and society at large

What does a person with a neurodevelopmental disability look like?

If we just went by the common symbols and stereotypes, we might think of a person who is non-verbal or who has visible symptoms. But the spectrum of neurodevelopmental disabilities is broad and nuanced. Many times, they have no outward signs or symptoms at all.

 In fact, up to 75% of children diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum have no intellectual disabilities and their disabilities are effectively invisible to society.

And because they don’t “look disabled,” these children often don’t receive the support and accommodation they need to function in the world. Their challenges are dismissed, ignored, or mislabeled as shyness, stubbornness, or laziness.

This can lead to major downstream effects that affect their entire lives, impacting their ability to succeed at school, in relationships, and in the professional world. Their self-esteem suffers and they’re prevented from reaching their full potential…and the world misses out on their unique skills and talents.

That’s why raising awareness about invisible disabilities is crucial to creating a more inclusive world. With 1 in 36 boys in the US being diagnosed as on the autism spectrum, this growing issue is more important and urgent than ever. In the United States, males are diagnosed 4 times more often than girls and girls are on average diagnose later in childhood than boys, due to their ability to mask the invisbility of the disorder better than boys. Everyone has a part to play, and getting informed is a great place to start.

As part of our mission to educate and inform, the Ball Four Foundation spotlights thought leaders on autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities on our Thought Leaders page. These books, podcasts, and other resources are a wonderful resource for families who need support as well as anyone who wants to learn more about neurodiversity.