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Transitioning Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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Health Care Transition

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Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have unique health-care needs that require a carefully planned transition to adulthood. This chapter outlines ways in which transitioning AYA with IDD differ from other AYA with special health-care needs and describes considerations that make the transition process both challenging and rewarding for patients, families/caregivers, and providers. It identifies key federal, state, and community service systems that impact individuals with IDD and describes how cross-system collaboration efforts can aid transition. The authors highlight common, real-life scenarios that illustrate the experiences of clinicians and families and offer specific solutions, tools, and resources to aid with patient preparation and meet the needs of the family/caregiver and provider education and training. Attention is given to the importance of maximizing independence and self-advocacy among AYA with IDD, addressing comorbid and behavioral health conditions, and outlining steps that providers can take to fully meet their responsibilities during the transition process.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Medicine and Clinical Genetics, University of Colorado, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Laura Pickler M.D., M.P.H

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Janet Hess Dr.P.H.

Authors
  1. Laura Pickler M.D., M.P.H
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  2. Janet Hess Dr.P.H.
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Correspondence to Laura Pickler M.D., M.P.H .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor, Director of Research, Section of Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

    Albert C. Hergenroeder

  2. Professor, Chief of Adolescent Medicine, Section of Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

    Constance M. Wiemann

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Pickler, L., Hess, J. (2018). Transitioning Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In: Hergenroeder, A., Wiemann, C. (eds) Health Care Transition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72868-1_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72868-1_32

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72868-1

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