Social Functioning in Adults with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the possible causes of social functioning deficits in adults with learning disabilities including language disorders, information processing deficits, and behavioral and/or attention problems. The co-occurrence of social functioning deficits with a nonverbal learning disability, and the effect of educational isolation, dysfunctional family systems, and low self-esteem are also discussed. Clinical and data-based studies are reviewed as well as intervention approaches used with adults. These approaches provide the springboard to address some of the unanswered questions.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan A. Vogel

Susan A. Vogel, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education Department at Northern Illinois University. She received her Masters in Elementary Education from Harvard University and PhD in Communicative Disorders from Northwestern University. Her current research interests are educational attainments, literacy, gender differences, and risk and resiliency factors in adults with learning disabilities.

Steven R. Forness

Steven Forness, EdD, is currently Professor, Inpatient School Principal, Chief of Educational Psychology Services, and Director of the University Affiliated Program in the UCLA Mental Retardation and Child Psychiatry Division. His research interests are in diagnostic criteria in special education and in behavioral disorders in children with learning disabilities or mental retardation.