title: Social outcomes of young adults with cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional abilities and social outcomes of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are relatively under-researched. Improvements in paediatric care have extended the expectation of achieving adulthood to 90%.
  
  
  METHODS
  Young adults aged 20-30 years with CP (n = 335) were compared to a population-based control group (n = 2,152) of the same age. Motor function, self-care abilities, educational level, and social outcomes were determined by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Half the study group walked independently, but only 35.5% were independent in self-care. In comparison to their peers without disability, the study group's highest educational level was lower (p < .0001), as were rates of employment (36.3% compared with 80%), they were more likely to be living with parents (80% compared with 21%), to be single, and to have limited financial resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young adults with CP are functionally and socially disadvantaged in contrast with their peers without disability. Self-care dependence, intellectual disability, and communication impairments contribute to these outcomes but are not solely responsible.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Dinah S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Reddihough
authors.forename: Benran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanigan
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Walstab
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult