Critical Incidents of Highly Successful Adults with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

This study investigated critical incidents of 40 highly successful adults with learning disabilities in order to gain an understanding of the incidents' impact on development, the effect of the setting where critical incidents occurred, and the effects of positive and negative experiences on adjustment. The critical incident technique has been used in a wide array of studies both inside and outside the field of special education. Moreover, it has yielded valuable data for analysis of research problems. Findings indicated that many critical incidents occurred in a variety of educational settings and were important to vocational success. Overall, subjects recounted relatively few negative incidents. χ² analyses revealed several remarkable trends that provide insight concerning critical incidents and the developmental nature of learning disabilities throughout the life span. Analysis explored the effects of critical incidents in educational, vocational and social settings. The findings have utility because of the potentially significant impact critical incidents have on adjustment and adult success.