Diagnosing and Assessing Learning Disabilities

When one hears about a learning disability, they frequently assume that the term refers to students or children. While this is often true, there are many adults that learn in different ways and may be challenged by certain features of everyday life. Diagnosing learning disabilities among the adult population is an important and necessary activity.

Why Assess Adults?

You might be wondering why diagnosing adults with learning disabilities is a concern at all. Isn't it true that most learning-disabled adults were once children with learning disabilities? Since today's schools are fully equipped for assessing learning disabilities in children, one might assume that adults and their families would be fully aware of their special needs. However, many adults, especially seniors, may have grown up without ever realising their learning disability. They may have been seen as slow or lazy, but the system in which they were educated was largely unaware of their needs.

The Process

So how is diagnosing learning disabilities among adults accomplished? There is no single assessment that identifies learning-disabled adults with certainty. The assessment procedure may vary depending on whether diagnosis is required for educational needs, employment needs, placement in services or self-awareness. The process usually begins with an initial interview followed by tests to establish intellectual and academic abilities. Assessment also includes evaluation of social skills and emotional behaviours.

Diagnosing learning disabilities in adults is essential because these individuals face many extra challenges in daily living. They are unable to process information quickly, but at the same time are reluctant to seek assistance. Managing money is difficult as well. The basic maths skills required to balance a cheque book, pay bills or even make proper financial choices is beyond their comprehension. The work history of adults with learning disabilities almost always means that retirement income will be minimal. These individuals are also at much higher risk of being victimised by fraud.

Achieving Goals

The goals of adults with learning disabilities are no different than those of other adults. They are looking for ways to become more independent, they would like to be engaged in a job that is personally satisfying, and they want to establish meaningful relationships with friends.

The tendency for families of children with learning disabilities is to continue caring for them into adulthood. While this may be emotionally satisfying for the family carer, it limits the independence of the adult with a learning disability.

There has been a shift toward focusing on independent living for adults with a learning disability. One reason for this new direction is that this generation may be the first to see learning-disabled adults outliving their carer parents. Advances in health care have resulted in the ageing of the population. The number of learning-disabled seniors who have outlived their family carers is growing.

Diagnosing and assessing learning disabilities in adults often results in relief when a positive finding is made. The learning-disabled adult has likely fought with difficulties throughout their life and may have chalked up their problems to a general lack of ability. Assessment of a learning disability opens the door to available services, equips them with coping skills and moves them toward a more successful and secure status of independent living.