Children and youth with special health care needs face many changes throughout
their lives, such as moves between hospitals, home, schools, work or college, and
from child health care to adult health care (see graphic below). Each transition is
a chance for your child and family to gain skills that will help you and your child
succeed and manage future changes. This section has tips to help you and your child
with these transitions.
The medical home, as a source of comprehensive care, is an ideal place to
talk about these issues, and it should help with transition planning throughout your
child's life. The more you and your child know about his or her special health care
needs, the better prepared you will all be for your child to have as much
independence as possible as an adult.
"...Transition is a process, not an event. The actual process
should be gradual, occurring in harmony with adolescent and family
development. While there is not one current model, whenever it occurs,
communication among pediatric and adult providers, parents and youth is
critical." (National Dissemination Center for Children with
Disabilities)
This section has two parts:
School Transitions
Transition to Adulthood
You can find vital information from many starting points, such as the
child's age or specific needs. No matter their specific challenges, children, youth,
and adults with special health care needs will benefit from a team effort toward
making transitions as smooth as possible.
To build a life plan: Start with the end goals in mind
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
Health Care Transition for Youth and Families (Got Transition) A 6-step approach to help individuals gain independent health care skills, prepare for an adult model of care, and transfer
to new providers; provided by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health.