Learning Disabilities Association of America

For adults

The impact of learning disabilities is lifelong. The issues that made school work so challenging as a child crop up again in the workplace, and even in our homes. Paperwork and reports at work; keeping up with bills and--back to school again! Helping our children with their homework can be a struggle.

Whether you grew up knowing you had a learning disability and you received special education services, or you have struggled with learning difficulties without ever knowing exactly what your problems were, 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, and you have developed systems for helping you get and stay organized. On this page, you can find even more avenues to success at work, in your relationships, and in the community. Browse the page or click to a specific section:

Assessment, Evaluation and Literacy

Resources for adults with LD and the professionals who work with them:
- Graphic Organizers: Power Tools for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities. Read the article (PDF)
- Charting the Course: Supporting the Career Development of Youth with Learning Disabilities, published by the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Read the guide (PDF)
- Guidance and Career Counselors’ Toolkit: Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary Options, published by The George Washington University HEATH Resource Center, National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities Read the guide (PDF)
- Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults: First Steps for Teachers, published by the National Institute for Literacy, National Center for Family Literacy. Read the guide
Adults with Learning Disabilities: Assessing the Problem: When adults suspect they have a learning disability, or that someone they care about does, they need information. View the webpage
Screening for Adults with Learning Disabilities: A guide to the process of identifying an adult who may have a learning disability. Read the article
Adult Literacy Reading Programs For Literacy Providers: An overview of multi-sensory structured language programs found to be successful in working with adults with learning disabilities. Read the article

Civil Rights

Q & A: Who is Covered and Who is Not? Answers to frequently asked questions on the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act in Post-Secondary Education and Employment from leading authority Patricia Latham, J.D. Read the article
Learning Disabilities and The Law: After High School: An Overview for Students: An overview of rights under the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in college programs and in employment. Read the article

Workplace Issues

Looking for Work in Challenging Times: This article has three components: the skills employers are seeking in 2012 new hires, resources that are available for individuals with learning disabilities, and tips to keep a positive attitude on the overcrowded employment-seeking superhighway. Read the article (PDF)
Resources for Job Seekers: This is not a complete list of resources for job-seekers, but is a good place to start. Read the article (PDF)
Workforce Centers: Workforce Centers provide basic employment, training, literacy and rehabilitation services. They are found in every state. In addition to basic services, they also provide access to other intensive and training services. If you are an adult with a learning disability who needs help finding a job, your local workforce center may be able to help you. Read the fact sheet (PDF)
Assistive Technologies: Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) can include assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. These promote greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Read the fact sheet
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals with disabilities, including learning disabilities, to obtain employment and live more independently by providing supports like counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services. Read the fact sheet | Visit the RSA webpage, part of the U.S. Department of Education
Job Accommodation Ideas for People with Learning Disabilities by Dale S. Brown. Read the article
On the Job: Information and tips on succeeding in the workplace from Dale S. Brown and Peter S. Latham, J.D. Read the article
Common Misconceptions Preventing Job Advancement: Success in the workplace may require overcoming your own attitudes and bad habits you've learned from the way others have treated you in the past. Here are tips for moving your career forward. Read the article
Meeting the Challenge of Conformity: Fitting in at work can be challenging and sometimes can be too difficult if the “fit” of your abilities to the job aren't really right. Read the article
Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: Tips for becoming a good self advocate plus sample accommodations. Read the article
To Tell or Not to Tell: An important question an individual with learning disabilities must ask! Read the article

Post Secondary Options

What comes after high school? Understand your options: Post-secondary or higher education is the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology. Higher education also includes certain collegiate-level institutions, such as vocational schools, trade schools, and career colleges, that award academic degrees or professional certifications. LDA’s Information Sheet on Post Secondary Options includes sections on Getting Started, Know Your Rights, and Types of Postsecondary Options. Read the information sheet
Assistive Technologies: Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) can include assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. These promote greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Read the fact sheet
GED Testing: The GED Tests are five separate tests in the areas of writing, social studies, science, reading, and mathematics. Each test requires you to use general knowledge and thinking skills. The GED Tests allow students who have not graduated from high school to obtain a GED diploma, which is typically accepted as equal to a high school diploma. GED test accommodations are available for people who have learning disabilities. Read the fact sheet | Visit the GED webpage
Learning Despite Learning Disabilities: Facing the challenges of college academics and social situations isn't easy, especially if you have learning disabilities that haven't been identified. Author Dale S. Brown reflects upon lessons learned, for the benefit of students with learning disabilities going to college, and their teachers. Read the article
Transition to College: Developing knowledge about the nature of one's learning disabilities and one's personal and academic strengths and weaknesses is vital for successful transition to postsecondary education. Read the article (PDF)
What is a SOP?: IDEA 04 now reguires a Summary of Performance (SOP) when exiting high school, instead of an evaluation. Families, teachers and students need to become familiar with the SOP used in their own high school. Read the article
Success in College for Adults: Self knowledge, self-advocacy, and matching up with the right institution of higher education help spell success for the student with learning disabilities. Read the article (PDF)
Post Secondary Educational Options: An overview of the array of postsecondary education options available to students with learning disabilities. Read the article
How College Students with Learning Disabilities Can Advocate for Themselves: Suggestions for easing the transition from depending on others to being your own advocate. Read the article
Transitioning from College to Work: Students must begin this process early and transfer their knowledge of the disability into the world of employment. Read the article

Social and Emotional Issues

Helping the Learning Disabled Adolescent Learn to Drive by Dale S. Brown. Read the article
A Handicap With No Name: Poignant and instructive memories from childhood school days as a student with undiagnosed and untreated learning disabilities. By Dale S. Brown. Read the article
A Letter to Grandma: Reflections of an adult on being a child with learning disabilities in a regular classroom without accommodations, diagnosis or treatment. By Dale S. Brown. Read the article
Emotional Problems in Adults with Learning Disabilities: Guidance on ways that medical, mental health and educational professionals can support and treat adults with learning disabilities. Read the article
Preventing Mental Health Problems in Older Adolescents And Adults: Information on the attributes found in successful adults with learning disabilities and ways to avoid mental health issues. Read the article
Parenting Issues for Adults with Learning Disabilities: Helpful ways to meet the challenge of being a parent with a learning disability. Read the article (PDF)

Special Populations

Adults with Learning Disabilities: An Overview: A summary of the complexity of the population of adults with learning disabilities. Read the article
Learning Disabilities and Low Income Populations: Facts about the relationship between learning disabilities and low income populations. Read the article

Learning Disabilities Association of America, National Headquarters
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
Phone (412) 341-1515 | Fax: (412) 344-0224