Navigating Life with Learning Disabilities: A Comprehensive Resource Guide for Adults

Introduction

The impact of learning disabilities is lifelong. Maybe you grew up knowing you had a learning disability and received special education services. Or you struggled with learning difficulties and never knew exactly how to identify the problem. As an adult, you are probably now in command of a number of techniques that make life easier. Over the years, you have figured out ways to obtain and keep track of the information you need. You have developed systems to get organized. If you are just learning that you have a learning disability you may be confused and not know where to begin. It can be a daunting and complicated task. But don’t despair.

According to the National Institutes of Health, learning disabilities are disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, the disorders are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age. As an adult navigating the complexities of life, understanding the resources available can significantly improve your quality of life, career prospects, and overall well-being. This guide provides a structured overview of learning disabilities and the resources available to adults, encompassing assessment, support, legal rights, and technological aids.

Understanding Learning Disabilities

Having a Learning Disability means that your brain processes information differently than most people, or struggles to understand certain types of information. These differences also mean that you see and experience the world differently: many individuals with significant struggles in one area also show tremendous talent and insight in another.

Common Types of Learning Disabilities

Specific Learning Disabilities include:

Dyscalculia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts. Students with math challenges may struggle from visual processing difficulties, challenges with working memory, lack executive functioning skills, or anxiety.
Dysgraphia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills. Students with writing challenges may struggle from visual processing difficulties, challenges with working memory, lagging executive functioning skills, or difficulties with the physical motor skills necessary for forming letters. This term means “difficulty with making letter forms” and the reasons for these difficulties are varied.
Dyslexia: A common term used to describe individuals with reading disabilities. The term literally means “difficulty reading”, but students may be challenged by reading for different reasons. A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.The most common reasons for reading difficulties include: difficulty hearing individual sounds (phonological awareness), difficulty distinguishing individual letters (visual processing), and difficulties with working memory.
Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities: Individuals with non-verbal learning disabilities often have trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language and may have poor coordination.
Oral / Written Language Disorder and Specific Reading Comprehension Deficit: Learning disabilities that affect an individual’s understanding of what they read or of spoken language.
ADD/ADHD: While not technically a learning disability, ADHD often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Symptoms include limited attention and hyperactivity.

Diagnosis and Assessment

The diagnosis of a learning disability will spark many questions. Evaluation involves gathering information from a variety of sources about a child’s functioning and development in all areas. It is generally one of the first steps in determining if a child has a learning disability. The most common treatment for learning disabilities is special education. Specially trained educators may perform a diagnostic educational evaluation assessing the child’s academic and intellectual potential and level of academic performance.

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Resources and Support Systems

Educational Resources

Adults use many types of literacy tasks associated with work, home and community contexts. This section will help to guide professionals who teach adults in literacy programs as well as the adults themselves who want to start on a path to improve their literacy skills. Depending on where you live and the availability of resources in your area, you may be able to find a program that teaches reading, writing, math, or job skills.

Adult Literacy Programs: Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) to expand evidence-based practice in the field of adult education.
LINCS: LINCS connects adult learners to free, high-quality resources related to education, job and life skills.
National Literacy Directory: The National Literacy Directory provides listings for Early Childhood, Family Literacy, High School Equivalency/Adult Basic Education, English Language Learning, and Citizenship Classes. Department of Education.
COABE: COABE is organized to advance national and international adult education and literacy opportunities for all persons. One of the main purposes of COABE is to promote adult education and literacy programs, including Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Family Literacy, Skills Development, Workforce Development, and other state, federal, and private programs.

Workplace Support

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN): The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.

Local and Community Support

LDA’s State Affiliates: LDA’s state affiliates offer various services for individuals with learning disabilities and their families. State and local activities may include support groups, meetings, resource libraries, advocacy assistance, newsletters, webinars, and networking opportunities. You can also reach out to your state affiliate if you’re having difficulty finding an adult learning program in your area.
Centers For Independent Living: Centers For Independent Living are community-based organizations that provide people with disabilities a range of services including life skills training, advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, socialization and community based activities.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): New Jersey also has 21 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that serve as the primary entities for developing comprehensive, coordinated systems of community-based services for older adults. AAAs also serve as Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) lead agencies in their county, ensuring seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers have easy access to basic information and long-term services and supports.

Mental Health Support

People with learning and thinking differences are two to three times more likely to have mental health challenges like anxiety or depression.

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Assistive Technology Awareness

The Foundation's mission is to enable individuals with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders to fully participate in academic, library and museum programs, and to successfully engage in employment through assistive technology awareness.

Legal Rights and Protection

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protects adults with disabilities including learning disabilities (LD) in higher education programs and employment.

Core Principles

Learn about the core principles of learning disabilities that LDA uses as the basis to address policy and practice in the field of LD.

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Additional Resources

Guides & Booklets

Adults with Learning Disabilities: A Review of the Literature, National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy: This study examines how learning disabilities affect adults, which strategies are best for teaching adults with learning disabilities, how to determine that an adult learner has a learning disability, and more.
Dyslexia Basics, from The International Dyslexia Association: This guide covers the definition and effects of dyslexia, and other information such as signs of dyslexia, how dyslexia is diagnosed, and how dyslexia is treated.
Every Student Succeeds Act, Department of Education: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed in December of 2015 and ESSA amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide funding to K-12 schools to ensure a quality public education for all students. ESSA authorizes funds for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and for promotion of parental involvement. ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.

Organizations

The New York Center for Child Development: The New York Center for Child Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the optimal development of young children.
The Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC): The Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) is the clinical arm of The Rose F. Kennedy Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
All Kinds of Minds: All Kinds of Minds is a Parent Toolkit offers tips on appreciating, celebrating, and managing differences.
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): Learn about the core principles of learning disabilities that LDA uses as the basis to address policy and practice in the field of LD.

Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Strengths

These pages contain general recommendations and resources for adults with Learning Disabilities to find ways to overcome their challenges and maximize their strengths.

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