Adults with learning difficulties

Flange/Flanders

Hi, not sure if this is the correct forum to post in but I was thinking that I may get some direction as to where to proceed from this. I've a significant blood relative who I has an undiagnosed learning disability. I'm not sure which one it is, but he has some difficulties (not total) in communicating and he struggles to form relationships. I want to broach the subject of getting a diagnosis with him as I feel that he will get some support and possibly some help in getting some form of employment, as he struggles in interviews. Can someone tell me where would be the best to go to in order to get a diagnosis? He's over 30 now so I'm worried that a lot of avenues may now be closed to him.

Thanks.

LegacyUser

Hi op, I'm sorry to tell u that its not that simple for your relative. To get a diagnosis in adulthood is rare but does happen but you will need your relative and his next of kin to consent to a referral. Also with regards to working what level is your relative at in terms of functionality? Some major chain stores do a support scheme for 2 years, or contact local hotels bars restaurants hardware stores etc and ask are they hiring. It's hard to offer advice as I'm not sure what capabilities your relative has.

wokingvoter

CaraMay wrote: »

Can I ask why you feel this needs to be done and why now?

The OP feels, from an amateur angle, that his family member has undiagnosed learning difficulties and would benefit from professional help in moving forward with his life and maximising his potential as opposed to drifting aimlessly.
I can't see any "agenda" if that's your concern

Flange/Flanders

wokingvoter wrote: »

The OP feels, from an amateur angle, that his family member has undiagnosed learning difficulties and would benefit from professional help in moving forward with his life and maximising his potential as opposed to drifting aimlessly.
I can't see any "agenda" if that's your concern

Thanks wokingvoter. Yeah that's it, my brother was never picked up in school for learning disabilities. He's well able to work unsupervised and take instruction and can do all types of manual labour. However, he cannot get in the door of a company as he does not interview at all and has difficulties forming any sort of relationship, sadly he has no friends apart from his brothers. I want to broach the subject of getting a diagnosis with him and I want to know if there would be any benefits to that, indeed if it's possible to get diagnosed as an adult.

I know there's people in an awful lot worse positions than him but he's never had any full time job of note, he has progressed to a certain level in third level education and is in a cycle of repeating exams and unfortunately repeating years with no help from the college. At the end of the day, he's my brother and everyone wants what's best for their family.

LegacyUser

I can't give advise on diagnosis but have a look at The National Learning Network on line. They provide courses for individuals with physical/mental disabilities and provide various level of support for the people on the courses

This may be suitable for your brother.

www.nln.ie

Hope this is of some help

Roselm

Also FAS run back to employment Community Employment schemes that support people in upskilling and getting work experience

Roselm

He'd need to be assessed by a Psychologist.
As far as I know Educational Psychologists can assess learning,ie IQ (to look for general learning disability) and educationally related difficulties e.g. dyslexia.
Clinical Psychologists can assess for difficulties such as Autism and ADHD/ADD.