Learning to Achieve

Résumé du livre

Learning disabilities (LD) begin in childhood and persist throughout the life span. These neurologically baseddisorders affect critical learning processes, such as the acquisition and development of reading, writing, andmathematical skills, all of which are essential to every aspect of adult life in the 21st century. The manifestationof LD may change as individuals develop and respond to varying performance demands-for example, whenleaving school and entering the workforce. But if LD are not adequately addressed and managed, they canlimit adults' prospects for education, employment, and interpersonal relationships.

As neuroscientific and other research is beginning to shed light on the causes and effects of LD, educators,policy makers, and others must apply relevant findings to the development of educational programs,methods of diagnosis, and policies that stand to improve services to adults with LD and ultimatelytheir learning outcomes. The National Institute for Literacy (the Institute), a federal agency chargedwith providing leadership to the adult literacy field, is committed to identifying research findings thatcan be shared with practitioners serving adults with LD. Continuing its long-standing involvement inthe field of adult LD, the Institute commissioned the present literature review to develop a foundationaldocument that reflects the current knowledge base.

Findings from Learning to Achieve: A Review of the Research Literature on Serving Adults With LearningDisabilities will inform a new professional development program to be offered to practitioners and othersworking with adults with LD. The six topics covered in the review-assessment, English languagelearners, accommodations, teaching methods, transition, and impact of LD-address needs and issuesconsistently raised by service providers working in the field. It is the hope of the Institute that this publicationwill be helpful in advancing scientifically based practice for adults with LD and in encouragingcontinued investigation to build a larger and more comprehensive knowledge base.