Affiliations: Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University,
Lund, Sweden | Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University,
Central Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden | Department of Paediatrics, Lund University, Skåne
University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ann I. Alriksson-Schmidt, %National
Competence Centre for Quality Registers, Lund University, Skåne University
Hospital. Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Orthopedics
SE-221 85, Sweden. Tel.: +46 046177168; Fax: +46 0468888328; E-mail: ann.alriksson-schmidt@med.lu.se
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of providing healthcare
through the transition years to individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and to
present data on living arrangements, education/occupation status, and use of
personal assistance in young Swedish adults with CP. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 102 participants (63 males) participating
in a standardized follow-up program called CPUP. Data were analyzed in relation
to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual
Ability Classification System (MACS). RESULTS: Of the participants, 58
"lived with parents", 29 reported "independent living", and 15 reported
"special service housing". Living arrangements differed among GMFCS levels
(p< 0.001) and 14 of 20 with severe disabilities lived with their parents.
Thirty-four of 70 reported personal assistance; use of assistance correlated
(p< 0.001) with GMFCS (r^{s}=0.71) and MACS (r^{s}= 0.70). Thirty
five were "students", 20 "employed", 36 in "daily activities", and 9 were
"unemployed". Of those employed, 18 had GMFCS levels I-II. CONCLUSION: Some young adults with CP and severe functional limitations manage independent
living – however, many still live with their parents. Although many are
students, a large number are unemployed. There is disconnect between the
pediatric and adult healthcare systems. CPUP may facilitate in making the
transition smoother.
Keywords: Transition, cerebral palsy, young adulthood
