Key to Icons
	Pull down a file
	Link to the Internet
	Online Activity

For information on Bridges to Practice training in your area, please contact:
Dr. Rochelle Kenyon, Project Director
rkenyon@aol.com

What Does LD Look Like?

Just like there is no single cause of learning disabilities, there is also no single set of characteristics. It is common to describe the problems that learning disabled adults exhibit. However, it is equally important to note the positive characteristics of each individual. This is what helps students become successful.

Just like no one person will demonstrate all of the characteristics associated with learning disabilities, it is also true that individuals without learning disabilities may on occasion demonstrate some of the same characteristics. Remember, your students are more similar than different.

Adults with learning disabilities can be successful. Your job as an adult education teacher or literacy practitioner is to understand the different characteristics that your students/clients may present. Once you understand the different types of characteristics or traits, then you can better help your students/clients to use the different strategies and accommodations.

Learning disabilities are often categorized by what is known as a deficit area. The major deficit areas are:

• reading
• writing
• listening
• speaking
• mathematics
• thinking, and other difficulties.

Click on the following file folder to view the different characteristics of adults with learning disabilities. You may wish to print this chart for use throughout this training or as a reference guide.(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, please click the following icon to download the free program.)

Characteristics of Adults with Learning Disabilities

Once you have finished reviewing the different characteristics of learning disabled adults, continue on to see how learning disabilities are assessed.