Generally, a child with any or a combination of invisible disabilities has difficulty in all aspects of life. Common symptoms include:

•  Restlessness - Can't sit still, inattentive
•  Difficulty with impulse control
•  Difficulty in following instructions/Rules
•  Difficulty taking in, remembering or expressing information
•  Loses track of time and belongings
•  Speech difficulties
•  Dyslexia - Mixing up letters and words
•  Dyscalculia - Mixing up numbers
•  Dysgraphia - Difficulty writing legibly
•  Facial or body tics
•  Obsessive Behaviour, unable to complete tasks
•  Difficulty with social cues - Stand to close, Talk too loud
•  Inappropriate emotional outbursts

As you can imagine, children trying to deal with the range of disabilities we are describing, spend most of their days simply trying to cope. Usually, school is not a good experience, friendships are few and far between. Children are intimidated by social activities or are not able to participate effectively. Lonely and rejected, children with invisible disabilities are much more likely than average to grow into adolescents who turn to inappropriate behaviours and are at risk for alcohol or drug dependence, failure to complete high school and an inability to hold jobs and plan for a successful future.