Disparities in the prevalence and parent-reported severity of autism and in access to health care were found for children with autism. Programs for children in general (e.g., universal screening for autism) and programs that target traditionally underserved groups of children, their families, and their health care providers should be tested and implemented to optimize case finding of children with autism and to eliminate disparities in access to care and to early intervention.

The educational transition process experienced by adolescents with disabilities and their parents was examined in this study. The results of the qualitative study can be interpreted to conclude that students rarely were engaged in transition planning, and when they were engaged, it came too late in their high school careers. Students with disabilities and their parents described dissatisfaction in the following areas: inadequate communication from school staff, frustration with assumptions made about the student, funneling of the student into traditional adult service programs, and a lack of accountability from the schools. Even those students who reported being engaged in the transition process experienced inadequate transition planning. Strategies to improve transition planning are presented.

Aerobic exercise may help increase strength of the lower extremity muscles, decrease energy required to ambulate, and improve gross motor function and self-perception for some adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy.

Children with special needs require care coordination to optimize their health and well-being. This study evaluated the quality of care coordination provided for children with developmental disabilities. Mailed survey of families whose children received care at a tertiary specialty center. The surveys of 83 families were analyzed. Most families had no problem accessing acute care or therapy services (e.g., physical or occupational therapy), especially with the help of their medical providers; however, 46% reported some difficulty getting medical equipment. Respondents rated communication between medical personnel and schools the low-est-50% said that medical personnel never or rarely communicate with schools; 27% indicated that medical personnel never or rarely involved families in decision-making. Families ranked access to acute care number one; being involved in decision-making was second while communication among professionals was third. Families who reported better communication with and among their medical providers had better access to services like medical equipment. Care coordination systems that address issues of communication and information can increase access to services that will optimize health and can maximize satisfaction with care.

The results suggest that when a vaccine-related disease-prevention program is undertaken, (1) attitudes about disease risks and vaccine risks influence decisions to accept vaccination, and (2) in-person education should be a mandatory element of the program.