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What is the Best Way to Support Adults with Learning Difficulties?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

The best way to support adults with learning difficulties is through community services. There are volunteer organizations that can tutor individuals with special needs. Challenges faced by adults with learning difficulties can be overcome through work-based learning programs that offer accommodations and training.

Supporting adults with learning difficulties may mean encouraging them to enroll in adult literacy programs. These programs typically provide assistance to adults with reading disabilities. This may include coaching individuals with dyslexia. If there is a family member or friend who has learning difficulties, helping the person grasp basic skills is a way of offering support. If possible, comprehensive reading and writing lessons are one such method.

Woman with hand on her hip
Woman with hand on her hip

Sometimes teachers and other licensed professionals volunteer to help adults with learning difficulties. Support also sometimes comes from family members or friends who make sure a person in need obtains a screening to determine the extent of his difficulties. After a screening, a professional assessment may be necessary as well. In many cases, individuals with special needs may have disability rights, which can include assistance in the workplace. Friends and family of the adult with learning difficulties should also be informed and knowledgeable as to these rights.

Some of the rights individuals may be entitled to are funded through various charity organizations. Part of the support may include raising awareness of such rights, and fundraising to help organizations that rely on donations. As some adults with learning disabilities may be unaware of these sources, one crucial way of offering support is to ensure the person is aware of his rights.

Becoming an advocate is a way of supporting adults who have learning disabilities. This may mean becoming active in a community. Voicing concern and spreading the word by promoting this cause may be done independently or as part of a group.

For many people, offering support to this cause may be made easy by using the Internet as a reference tool and guide. Listings of coalition groups and special education programs for adults with learning difficulties can be found by location and area. In addition, inquiring at a local library may help. Many public libraries offer literacy courses for adults with learning difficulties free of charge, though some require advance scheduling.

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