The Adult with Learning Disabilities

By Claudette Gudbranson,
Information Officer, LDAC

Many adults with learning disabilities (LD) are not aware that the difficulties they encountered in school, and the problems in their relationships or their jobs, are due to learning disabilities. It was once believed that learning disabilities were a childhood disorder. We now know that this is not true.

Learning disabilities are lifelong and can affect friendships, school, work, self-esteem, and daily life. Many adults with learning disabilities lead very productive and successful lives. But for many, success is not easy. Even though they have average or above average intelligence, some adults with learning disabilities are conditioned to believe that they are stupid and lazy. When their best efforts are not successful the result can be frustration, disappointment, low self-esteem and failure.

The disability often becomes most evident in academic or social situations. Learning disabilities may be divided into five types:
1. Visual Problems: poor visual memory, reversals in writing;
2. Auditory Problems: poor auditory memory, speech problems;
3. Motor Problems: poor hand-eye coordination;
4. Organizational Problems: poor ability in organizing time or space;
5. Conceptual Problems: poor social skills and peer relations, difficulty correctly
     interpreting non-verbal language.

Learning disabilities need not prevent an individual from leading a productive and happy life. Individuals with learning disabilities can be found in all walks of life. Success may depend on many factors such as the severity of the disability, early identification, remediation, career choice, and support from family, friends, teachers and employers.

MCL wishes to thank the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) for providing much of the content for this special issue on learning disabilities.