Improving Transition to Adult Care for Those With Developmental Disabilities: An Unclear Path.

In this issue of Pediatrics , Levy et al1 present a systematic review focused on the transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The transition from pediatric to adult health care is a challenge for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.2–4 Patients are not only changing from pediatric to adult health systems but also working on such things as getting the appropriate educational supports in college, applying for disability (if appropriate), or finding services for adults to replace the support services provided in the school setting. With this review, Levy et al1 sought to identify those interventions that providers and systems can use to support families during this difficult process, ultimately concluding that although interventions may help with transition readiness and patient disease knowledge, the data are limited, especially with respect to patient quality of life, the primary outcome of interest in this review. The review by Levy et al1 is notable for its expansive consideration of transition interventions. The interventions themselves could consist of a specialized transition clinic, educational materials, a formal transition curriculum, or … Address correspondence to Laura C. Hart, MD, MPH, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205. E-mail: laura.hart{at}nationwidechildrens.org