The paper examines the social aspects of learning disabilities (LD) in adults, noting the role of the early imprinting process which may influence them throughout their lives. It is noted that LD adults have missed learning social skills that involve a sensitivity to subtlety, an awareness of voice tones, and a realization of time and other people's moods. Ways in which inadequate social skills set LD adults apart from their peers are described. The paper advocates a mental health approach to such socialization problems in which individuals gradually assume responsibility for themselves and learn to reach out to others. (CL)