Young adults with cerebral palsy
disability), all these present in proportions similar to
earlier population-based studies (5, 16, 29, 30).
Another limitation was our use of special schooling,
rather than cognitive testing, to identify intellectual
disability.
For participants with communication difficulties,
data were obtained through a proxy, most often a
parent. Some information, such as personal finances
and occupation was not disputable, but other, such as
related to friends, could have been less reliable.
The strengths of the study include a population-
based recruitment approach, a prerequisite for good
external validity (i.e. results that are representative
for the actual population). Moreover, data collection
was through direct contact by a small, instructed team,
ensuring data reliability.
The authors recommend that future larger studies
include formal cognitive testing as well as CFCS le-
vels, in order to elucidate the contribution of each to
the social situation.
Conclusion
At 20–22 years of age, most young adults with CP were
still in the parental home. Many were still dependent on
their parents, both financially, and for support with daily
ADL. A majority of the young adults without intellectual
disability were employed or studying. There was, ho-
wever, an increased risk of not having any occupational
activity. Intellectual disability and communication fun-
ction were important determinants of the social situation.
Interventions aimed at alleviating the impact of these
particular disabilities should be prioritized.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND FUNDING
The authors wish to thank all the participants for their time and
effort. We acknowledge statistician Nicklas Pihlström (Center
for Clinical Research Sörmland, Eskilstuna, Sweden) for sup-
port with the data analysis.
This study has been supported by grants from the Stockholm
County Council and Center for Clinical Research Sörmland,
Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden, as well as from the
independent foundations Linnéa och Josef Carlssons Stiftelse,
Norrbacka-Eugenia Stiftelsen, Stiftelsen Promobilia, Sällskapet
Barnavård, Riksförbundet för Rörelsehindrade Barn och Ung-
domar and Stiftelsen Frimurare Barnhuset.
The funders did not participate in the study design, the data
collection, data analysis or manuscript preparation or decisions
on the manuscript.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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