A learning disability is typically defined as a difficulty or inability to take in and process information in ways that most people do naturally. As a result, learning disabilities can lead to a variety of problems with functioning in everyday life. While this problem is often associated with children, many adults struggle with learning disabilities as well. Some of the most common signs of a learning disability in adults include an inability to concentrate, poor memory, difficulty reading and/or writing and difficulty in relationships.
An inability to concentrate and difficulty retaining information is a very common sign of a learning disability in adults. Individuals with this problem often find it hard to focus on the material they are reading or listening to. As a result, they are usually unable to absorb as much information as a person without a learning disability. Since concentrating and digesting information are vital to learning, this inability often leads to other problems that can affect multiple areas in a person’s life.
Poor memory is another symptom that typically results from an individual’s inability to concentrate. When important information isn’t effectively digested by the brain, it can affect a person’s overall memory. In turn, what most people consider basic knowledge might seem extremely difficult to recall for a person with a learning disability. Simple tasks like recalling driving directions or setting an alarm clock can be problematic for some adults with these conditions. As one might imagine, memory issues can make navigating through life quite difficult.
Another sign of a learning disability in adults is experiencing trouble with basic reading and writing skills. While most adults will have some difficulty in spelling large or complex words, a person with a learning disability will have problems with basic words. On top of this, he or she will typically have issues with reading books and retaining the information. As a result, it’s hard for some adults with a learning disability to construct a solid vocabulary and understand sentence meaning. In turn, this often makes it difficult to communicate with others.
Additionally, individuals with learning disabilities sometimes find it difficult to form and maintain relationships with other people. Since a learning disability in adults makes it difficult to function normally, it often has an isolating effect on people. These problems often begin during childhood and worsen during the transition into adulthood. In many cases, individuals with a learning disability find it hard to read social cues and communicate effectively. As a result, they may have some issues with socialization.