How to Work With Adults With Learning Disabilities

Working with adults with learning disabilities as a professional, paying career can be rewarding, but it can also be very challenging and even frustrating. If you are working with adults with learning disabilities, remember to make time for family and friends or job burnout can occur. Many caretakers and Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) work so many hours and later realize they need a break. Despite the demands, the rewards comes from the joy you see on the faces of the people you work with daily.

Things You'll Need

• Training
• Patients
• First aid training
• Fire safety training
• CNA license (optional)

Instructions

1. Training in working with adults with learning disabilities is needed. Most colleges offer a course for this or some adult learning facilities have training onsite. The training includes knowing how to deal with different personalities and age differences. The training also teaches you how to handle different situations. Some adult learning disability sites require a CNA license.

2. Training in CPR and basic first aid is required. The person working with adults with learning disabilities does need to have certification in basic first aid and CPR that is offered by the Red Cross or other organizations.

3. Training in fire safety and procedures is also required. You need to know what to expect when a fire alarm is sounded. You need to know what to doin the event of a fire and how to use a fire extinguisher.

4. Patience is a virtue when working with adults with learning disabilities. You must have the time to work with the adults and relate on their level. Not every adult will have an adult age level of mental awareness. You need to learn how to work with different ages and learning disabilities. By the nature of their disability, each individual will have a different level of developmental maturity.

5. Transporting adults to stores, work and medical appointments may be included in the duties of an adult caretaker. Your job might also require that you go to work with them and teach them the job and help them execute their job as they learn how to perform on their own.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time learning and do not become discouraged.

• Adult caretakers do take some abuse, which should always be reported to the supervisor.

• Do not become personally attached to people you are caring for any time.

• Mental burnout is common.