What considerations are important for adolescents with CP transitioning to adult care?

What considerations are important for adolescents with CP transitioning to adult care?

• A. Transition planning, ongoing management of spasticity/contractures, bone health, psychosocial support, independence, and adult care coordination.
• B. Stop all pediatric therapies at transition.
• C. Focus only on academic support.
• D. Delay transition planning until adulthood.

Answer: (C)

Transition to adult care for adolescents with cerebral palsy requires a comprehensive, proactive plan that covers medical management, functional independence, and psychosocial support. This means arranging ongoing strategies for spasticity and contracture management to maintain comfort and mobility, monitoring and supporting bone health to reduce fracture risk, and coordinating care across adult specialists so there’s no gap in treatment. It also includes preparing the teen to be more independent in daily life—learning to manage appointments, medications, transportation, and self-advocacy—while ensuring mental health support and social participation as they move into adult roles. Approaches that focus only on academics, discontinue pediatric therapies at transition, or delay planning fail to address these interrelated needs and can lead to loss of function, missed care, and increased stress during the changeover. A thoughtful, multidisciplinary transition plan helps sustain gains, ensures continuity of care, and supports a smoother move into adult life.

Transition to adult care for adolescents with cerebral palsy requires a comprehensive, proactive plan that covers medical management, functional independence, and psychosocial support. This means arranging ongoing strategies for spasticity and contracture management to maintain comfort and mobility, monitoring and supporting bone health to reduce fracture risk, and coordinating care across adult specialists so there’s no gap in treatment. It also includes preparing the teen to be more independent in daily life—learning to manage appointments, medications, transportation, and self-advocacy—while ensuring mental health support and social participation as they move into adult roles. Approaches that focus only on academics, discontinue pediatric therapies at transition, or delay planning fail to address these interrelated needs and can lead to loss of function, missed care, and increased stress during the changeover. A thoughtful, multidisciplinary transition plan helps sustain gains, ensures continuity of care, and supports a smoother move into adult life.