Often adults have only heard about their so-called inadequacies and thus have difficulty recognizing that they even have strengths. For adults with learning disabilities, the effects, whether they are positive or negative, often compound with age. The challenges may either overshadow their intellectual abilities or may help them develop other skill areas and accommodations to help compensate for their weak areas. However, too many adults grow up misunderstanding their problems, thus failing to get the help and support they need.⁴⁷

Potential positive outcomes

Problem-solving skills

Adults with learning disabilities often seek creative solutions that are "outside the box" and they can come up with imaginative answers to difficult problems.⁴⁸ Some adults have developed various coping mechanisms to help overcome or adjust to (or compensate for) their challenges. They may build support systems that assist them with their weaknesses and/or access tools to help manage these areas.

Outgoing personality

"Because of their histories of failure, many adults with learning disabilities can develop gregarious personalities to help hide their learning problems."⁴⁹ This is especially true for people with visual processing challenges. They are able to express themselves clearly but have difficulty with written expression. Adults who have good social and emotional support networks can tend to the development of outgoing personalities. Many adults not only have adequate social skills: a good many consider their social skills to be a significant compensation and a key to success.⁵⁰