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Health Transition for Youth and Young Adults with Special Health Needs

Resources for youth and young adults, their families, and providers as they move from pediatric to adult health care systems and learn to take charge of their health and related needs.

Youth & young adults with special health needs - especially those with complex medical conditions, disabilities and chronic illnesses - may not move as smoothly from pediatric to adult health care systems as their typically developing peers. This transition generally occurs between the ages of 18 - 22, although timing should be based on the youth or young adult’s developmental level, complexity of their chronic condition(s), and the readiness of the youth or young adult and their family to begin the planning process.

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What you need to know

Tips and resources for youth and young adults  Tips and resources for parents and caregivers   Tips and resources for healthcare providers  Readiness resources  Support and advocacy groups  Tips for communicating health needs for youth and young adults  Benefit and legal changes for youth at age 18  Strategies to support medical self-management skills in youth  Learn more about Chapter 688: the "Turning 22" law 

ESE Secondary Transition Resources and Materials 

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