This study examined perceptions of the future among young adults with and without learning disabilities (LD). Participants were 16 college students who participated in a semi-structured interview: 8 with LD and 8 without LD. Four domains were identified: time horizon, future life domains, emotions toward the future, and impact of having a diagnosis of LD. Participants with LD expressed a more limited vision of their future than participants without LD, reflected in such aspects as a narrower time horizon scope and less detailed descriptions. In addition, most participants with LD thought that their situation as a person with a disability would impact their future to some degree, at least in specific areas of life. However, they were like participants without LD in other aspects. For example, both samples mentioned work, family, and leisure when describing their future. The results suggest that professionals working with young adults with LD cannot automatically apply the same strategies they use when working with young adults with typical development. For instance, they may need to examine the extent to which their clients perceive their disability as central and influential and focus on coping strategies where relevant.
Rinat Michael (Sun,) studied this question.