Wistful determination: Adults’ perceptions of their learning disability diagnoses

Abstract

It was once supposed that children “grew out of” learning disabilities (LDs), but it is now known that these are lifelong conditions that can negatively affect many aspects of a person’s life. Although the value of receiving a diagnosis is frequently cited as an important step in the process of ameliorating the condition, there is little qualitative research into the experience of being diagnosed in adulthood. This investigation examined the lived experience of receiving an LD diagnosis as an adult with the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of how the process affected subjects. Phenomenological heuristic inquiry was used and data was obtained by interviewing four adults who self-reported as having been diagnosed with LDs. Common themes that emerged included feelings of anger, grief, relief, regret, hope and resilience. All agreed that receiving a formal diagnosis was important to them.