Health Care Transition for Youth with Cerebral Palsy

In this review we draw from clinical experience and a review of the literature to describe important issues for the primary care provider to address during health care transition for youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Children and youth with CP are almost always living well into adulthood. Health care transition services for persons with CP must provide support to help them access adult specialty services and overcome insurance barriers while managing primary health issues associated with CP in the young adult such as spasticity. Moreover, providers caring for young adults with CP must carefully screen for and treat common co-morbidities of CP including joint and muscle pain syndromes, constipation, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and behavior issues. Primary care and specialty services for adults with CP are not widely available due to issues related to provider training, insurance, and family and patient related barriers. Providers involved in health care transition for youth and young adults with CP must be active advocates for them in the adult health care system.