Part II: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adolescents and Young Adults With Down Syndrome: 12-21 Years

Susan Van Cleve, MSN, RN, CPNP; Sheila Cannon, MEd; William I. Cohen, MD

J Pediatr Health Care. 2006;20(3):198-205.

Health Care

Making the transition from pediatric care to adult health care can be a challenging process for the family, the young adult, and health care providers. Identification of a medical home (i.e., care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective [AAP, National Center of Medical Home Initiative for Children with Special Needs, 2005]) allows health care providers to work in partnership with the family and patient to ensure that all of the medical and nonmedical needs of the individual are met. Through this partnership, the health care provider helps the family and teen with DS access and coordinate specialty care, out-of-home care, family support, and other public and private community services. Barriers to transition can be formidable: adult providers may have limited knowledge of specific medical concerns; multiple subspecialists may be involved with the teen's health care; and changes in insurance are common.

Once the young person reaches the age of 18 years, he or she may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (www.socialsecurity.gov), Medical Assistance (Medicaid) (www.cms.hhs.gov) or Medicare (www.cms.hhs.gov).

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Cite this: Part II: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adolescents and Young Adults With Down Syndrome: 12-21 Years - Medscape - May 01, 2006.

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