title: Adolescents with cerebral palsy: transitioning to adult health care services.
abstract: Data from the 2009-2010 US National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs were examined to determine the health, developmental and behavioral status of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and to assess how well pediatric health care providers were preparing them for transition to adult health care services. Adolescents with CP had no higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, oppositional or conduct disorders, or autism spectrum than a comparison group. However, those with CP participated less in sports, clubs, or other organized activities (P < .001). Neither group reported much help in coordinating health services or preparing for transition to adult health care services. Inadequate adult health care services have a direct and unsatisfactory impact on the adult life span. Physicians and other health care providers who include adolescents with CP in their practices should begin discussion and planning for transition to adult health care early in adolescence.
authors.affiliation: 1University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blackman
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Conaway
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States
keywords: adolescents; behavior; cerebral palsy; developmental pediatrics; disability; transition