Decreased access to health care and social isolation among young adults with cerebral palsy after leaving school.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if leaving special schools has a negative impact on the health care and social isolation of young adults with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Young adults with cerebral palsy, aged between 15 and 22 years, were divided into 2 cohorts: current students, who were still receiving services from special schools, and school-leavers, who had since been discharged from care. A questionnaire and physical examination were administered to assess the extent of disability, health care received by, and social isolation of these young adults. RESULTS: School-leavers had a greater degree of dissability than did students, although the results were not statistically significant. Health care exposure to specialists, general practitioners, therapists physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and/or speech therapists), and medical social workers decreased after leaving school; with the exception of contact with general practitioners, these results were significant (p<0.05). The entire cohort was more socially isolated than a control cohort. School-leavers participated in fewer activities outside their homes, but showed less concern about their disability than did current students. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with cerebral palsy continue to have health care and lifestyle needs after leaving school, which are currently not being adequately met.