This study compared adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families to adolescents without physical disabilities and their families as the child enters and leaves adolescence (age ranges 13 to 15 years and 19 to 23 years). Families of 90 individuals with CP (42 females, 48 males) and 75 individuals without physical disabilities (34 females, 41 males) participated. They completed the Family Assessment Device, Life Situation Survey, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Future Questionnaire. There were few differences in family functioning, life satisfaction, or perceived social support between the groups. Expectations of young adults with CP and parents of both adolescents and young adults regarding future independence and success were lower than the expectations of the control group. While the group results emphasize similarities between families during the two stages of adolescence, individual families and individual family members report specific challenges.

This study compared adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families to adolescents without physical disabilities and their families as the child enters and leaves adolescence (age ranges 13 to 15 years and 19 to 23 years). Families of 90 individuals with CP (42 females, 48 males) and 75 individuals without physical disabilities (34 females, 41 males) participated. They completed the Family Assessment Device, Life Situation Survey, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Future Questionnaire. There were few differences in family functioning, life satisfaction, or perceived social support between the groups. Expectations of young adults with CP and parents of both adolescents and young adults regarding future independence and success were lower than the expectations of the control group. While the group results emphasize similarities between families during the two stages of adolescence, individual families and individual family members report specific challenges.

This qualitative study focused on the experiences of six 20- to 23-year-old persons with cerebral palsy and their parents during the transition to adulthood and explored perceived changes in their relationship. Using semi-structured interviews, three interrelated themes emerged: (a) perceptions of readiness for increased autonomy, (b) opportunities for the young adults to make independent decisions and learn from life experiences, and (c) shifting parental roles. The youths' autonomy related to parental perceptions of their readiness and push for autonomy, the parent's personal beliefs and readiness to support the changing relationship, and the parents' needs for separation from the child. In some families of youths requiring ongoing support for personal care, finances were a barrier to altering relationships with their child.

This qualitative study focused on the experiences of six 20- to 23-year-old persons with cerebral palsy and their parents during the transition to adulthood and explored perceived changes in their relationship. Using semi-structured interviews, three interrelated themes emerged: (a) perceptions of readiness for increased autonomy, (b) opportunities for the young adults to make independent decisions and learn from life experiences, and (c) shifting parental roles. The youths' autonomy related to parental perceptions of their readiness and push for autonomy, the parent's personal beliefs and readiness to support the changing relationship, and the parents' needs for separation from the child. In some families of youths requiring ongoing support for personal care, finances were a barrier to altering relationships with their child.

Experts debate whether the bereavement experienced by parents of handicapped children is relatively brief or chronic/periodic. In this study, well-adjusted parents identified periods of recurring grief and indicated the need for ongoing professional services.