Mr David Morrissey presents a research on the need for transition services for youth with Spina Bifida. Health Care is just one of the many transition systems, which need a lot more coordination. Failure is not necessarily the fault of the youth or the family. We should be able to alter the system to successfully facilitate transition.
The study was conducted in the state of Arkansas in the USA, which has the opportunity to easily track youth with Spina Bifida and do the research on secondary conditions. Obesity is a serious problem due to mobility issues of youth with Spina Bifida. Social isolation in the rural state of Arkansas can be a considerable risk, and there can be difficulty to engage in a long term relationship. The respondents were asked to fill out an instrument to assess the risk of being depressed. Although it is not a diagnostic tool, 32 % of the children and over 50% of the adults are at risk of depression. When parents are asked to rate their children on independence, they do not rate their children as independent. Children, however, complain about the lack of support of their parents.
The study concludes with some recommendations to facilitate the transition and envisions a future for children and youth with a disability. When conducting the research, David came across some very promising initiatives, such as a coordinating nurse. The follow-up study will be presented during the next international conference.
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