Functional level of young adults with cerebral palsy

Objective: To acquire insight into the level of functioning of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Rehabilitation Centre Den Haag, The Netherlands. Method: A structured questionnaire, including the Barthel Index was mailed to 134 young adults (aged 21-31 years) with cerebral palsy. Results: Eighty subjects responded (60%). Of these, 60 (75%) were largely or fully independent in activities of daily living, 72 (90%) moved independently indoors, 56 (70%) outdoors. In 67 (77.5%) of the group the level of communication was adequate for telephone conversation. Twenty-four (30%) lived with their parents, 10 (12.5%) with a partner and 26 (32.5%) lived alone. Almost half lived in an unadapted house. Forty-two (53%) completed some form of secondary education and 29 (36.3%) had paid employment. Conclusion: Despite their considerable impairments, the large majority of this group of young adults with cerebral palsy are independent in activities of daily living, mobility and communication. Regarding the level of education, participation in paid employment and sports activities, however, young adults with CP are poorly integrated.