In their qualitative study, Young and colleagues (2009) found that youth and adults with cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, and acquired brain injuries of childhood in the province of Ontario, Canada, perceive or have perceived their transfer from pediatric to adult-oriented health care services as a struggle. Although publications on transition…

This article presents the authors' response to the invited commentaries on their paper (Wallace and Beange, 2008). On the point of "specialism", the authors emphasise a fundamental premise of their argument: the proposed "specialist" hospital-based service is inherently enmeshed within generic services at the hospital level,…

This commentary discusses whether a sufficient case has been made for specialism in hospital services as a viable alternative to existing generic services. The impact of developments in specialist care such as those outlined by Robyn A. Wallace and Helen Beange should be assessed as a means of reducing inequality. In particular, model services…

In this article, the author comments on the paper "On the need for a specialist service within the generic hospital setting" (Wallace & Beange, 2008), which raises critical issues regarding effective models of healthcare delivery for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), particularly within a hospital setting (but not…

Although the presence of intellectual disability (ID) per se is not usually regarded as a health problem, the biopsychosocial implications of cognitive impairment contribute to the vulnerability of adult patients with ID in any healthcare system. The adult patient with ID differs from a patient in the general population in terms of health…

A community-based, drop-in, self-help wellness center representing an empowerment approach to developing culturally appropriate health promotion for black women is described. The program, affiliated services, and jointly sponsored programs are reviewed. Relationships with supporting organizations, strengths and pitfalls of the model, and program…

The increasing importance of assistive technologies to persons with disabilities is discussed and the activities of the Center for Special Education Technology, as well as the roles of teachers, physical and occupational therapists, speech/language clinicians, hospitals, physicians, public health agencies, and the public schools in implementing…

One pressing issue in health care delivery is that the system is not organized to serve people from different ethnocultural communities. Based upon investigations of the management of chronic illness by first-generation Canadian women, proposes a transformative model for counseling which acknowledges the wisdom of women is proposed. (Author/EMK)

This article identifies possible adverse effects of managed health care delivery systems on adults with mental retardation. It is noted that few primary care providers, the "gatekeepers" of such systems, have special training in examining and treating adults with mental retardation and that disincentives exist in such programs for…

Participants from five states (Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin) met to establish a national network to promote state and community-based models of comprehensive coordinated planning and service delivery to adults who survived pediatric disorders in their childhood. Results of state caucuses, which discussed and listed…

This collection of papers on managed care and long-term supports for people with developmental disabilities includes a range of reprinted articles and resource materials that provide different kinds of information and opinions on the impact of managed care. Articles include: "A Position Statement on Managed Care and Long-Term Supports in…

This booklet examines how the concept of the community health worker (a person chosen from the community and trained to function in the community in close relationship with the health care system) is being practiced in various developing countries. It also identifies the major problems and indicates how the contribution of the community health…

This editorial reviews areas of health care reform including managed health care, diagnosis-related groups, and the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale for physician services. Relevance of such reforms to people with developmental disabilities is considered. Much needed insurance reform is not thought to be likely, however. (DB)

This report of the National Council on Disability (NCD) examines root causes of the crisis in mental health, specifically the dysfunction of fragmented public systems charged with providing mental health services and supports for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens diagnosed with mental illnesses. Following an introductory chapter,…

The 100 recommendations in this report were prepared to fulfill part of the requirements of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1987. The recommendations are based on a consumer satisfaction survey of individuals with developmental disabilities, information on issues and services from the Mississippi Developmental…