Objective. To determine the factors associated with addressing the transition from pediatric to adult-oriented health care among US adolescents with special health care needs.

Objective: To determine the proportion of adolescents with arthritis who receive health care transition services and to compare the rates with those reported for adolescents with other special health care needs and adolescents with diabetes.Methods: We used data from the 2005–2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. A parent/guardian identified youth ages 12–17 years with arthritis (n = 1,052), diabetes (n = 389), and special health care needs (n = 18,189). Four questions examined the extent to which providers discussed health care transition issues, including 1) transfer of care to adult providers, 2) health care needs of adults, 3) acquiring health insurance, and 4) encouraging self‐care responsibility. Bivariate comparisons assessed the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and health care transition services, and multivariate regression models compared outcomes between conditions.Results: Many adolescents with arthritis are being encouraged to assume self‐care responsibilities (74.8%); fewer discussed how health needs will change in adulthood (52.1%), acquiring insurance (22.5%), or transferring care to a provider who sees adults (19.0%). These results are similar to youth with other special health care needs, but behind youth with diabetes.Conclusion: Among this sample of US adolescents, many report discussions about health care needs and self‐management, but few are addressing critical aspects of the transition to adult‐oriented health care.

Background: To increase understanding of the healthcare transition (HCT) process for young people living with Juvenile Idopathic Arthritis (JIA) by examining: 1) the extent to which youth report discussing HCT topics with their rheumatologist and 2) the association between youth perceptions of autonomy support from their rheumatologist and HCT discussions. Methods: Data are from an online survey of youth in the United States with rheumatologic conditions (n= 134). HCT discussion was measured by 4 questions from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Youth perception of autonomy support was measured using a validated 6-item scale. Results: One third of the youth (33.7%) reported talking to their rheumatologist about transferring to adult medicine. Less than half (40.8%) of respondents talked with their rheumatologist about adult healthcare needs, and less than a quarter (22.0%) discussed acquiring health insurance as an adult. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62.7%) reported that their rheumatologist usually/always encourages self-care responsibility. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between rheumatologist support for youth autonomy and HCT counseling. Conclusion: The low frequency of HCT counseling reported indicates a continuing need to increase awareness among rheumatologist in the USA. The strong associations between rheumatologist’s support for youth autonomy and HCT counseling suggest that developmentally “in-tune” providers may deliver the best guidance about transition planning for youth living with arthritis.