A Comparative Assessment of the Cognitive Functioning of Adults with Childhood Histories of Learning Disability and Adults with Noncognitive Disorders

Demographic, cognitive, and academic achievement data were collected from 591 adults evaluated as part of an outpatient Vocational Rehabilitation service. The specific aims of the research were to systematically compare adults with a childhood history of LD (putative LD) to groups of adults with principally physical or psychiatric disorders and assess the extent to which the LD group continued to meet diagnostic criteria and may differ from the other groups. Most adults with putative LD performed lowest of the three groups and were found to have low average achievement test scores and reduced general cognitive test performance. Frequency of adults with a past history of LD that met current criteria was surprisingly low, with less than ¼ of the sample having intelligence-achievement discrepancies of a magnitude to meet DSM-IV criteria for adult LD. Issues with regard to the continuity of LD behaviors into adulthood, adherence to diagnostic criteria, problems associated with the application of the LD label to individuals with borderline intellectual functioning, as well as the strengths and limitations of the study were discussed. A suggested agenda for adult LD research was also proffered with a particular focus on implications for practicing professionals working in clinical environments where adults with putative LD are often encountered.