Adulthood Learning Disabilities

Whether you grew up taking classes for your reading difficulties or you were diagnosed with a learning disability in adulthood, you are probably aware that there are a number of methods to help you tackle challenging tasks. Surely by now you realize that the one-size-fits-all approach to education leaves many students behind, including yourself, and may even lead to emotional and psychosocial struggles too. Despite these challenges, you will be a stronger person having lived through them and you can still find satisfaction with your personal relationships, work, education and life.

The challenge of coping with learning disabilities as an adult is enormous. Today, so much emphasis is placed on completing college and special needs adults are expected to fit into this mold, even when other options like vocational skills training may be more in-sync with their adult learning styles. According to the National Longitudinal Transition Study, the results are bleak, as 35% of children with learning disabilities drop out of high school (which is twice the rate for students without learning disabilities). Only 2% of high school graduates with learning disabilities transition to a four-year college.

To make the successful transition into adulthood, people must take logical steps. Jason Lopez, a student diagnosed with ADHD anxiety and auditory/visual adult learning disabilities, first made his move to Landmark College in Vermont, a two-year school for students with reading difficulties and learning disabilities. After receiving an associate's degree, he continued to Lynn University. Marsha Glines, executive director of the school, said they help students with support services, tutoring, time management training, organizational techniques and counseling. "Some students find tremendous motivation in dispelling myths about their disabilities," Glines adds.

Like anyone else who has reached adulthood, it is important for adults with dyslexia or other disabilities to set and achieve goals. Advancement opportunities should always be considered. Whether the individual is working hard just to "prove others wrong" or to find a sense of fulfillment, motivation is ultimately the key to success, so one must find some sort of cause. Reading books about adult learning styles and disability-specific management techniques can be extremely empowering, as can finding a role model or mentor.