SCIE Research briefing 4: Transition of young people with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses from children's to adult's services

Published April 2004

Updated April 2005

Introduction - What is the issue?

There are two key issues in transition: becoming an adult and achieving independence and changes in the actual services used. It is estimated that there are almost 156,000 adolescents (aged 16-19) with a disability in the UK: over 4,000 have a severe disability and there is evidence that numbers are increasing. Most children with physical disabilities or chronic illness will survive childhood and have improved life expectancy. During adolescence, they will experience change in a number of areas: from paediatric to adult health services, school to higher education or work and childhood dependence to adult autonomy. For disabled and chronically ill young people both the planning process and the actual move to adult services can be difficult, frightening and stressful. Associated problems can occur such as social isolation, a lack of daily-living skills, difficulties in finding work and additional problems in family relationships, such as over-protectiveness by parents and low parental expectations. Transition can also cause considerable stress for families and carers. A method for helping young people manage the transition process and take their place in the adult world is effective transition planning: this will involve both life stage planning and planning in change from children's to adult services.