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The provision of quality medical care for premature infants and children born with congenital anomalies, along with the many social and educational services that have evolved over the last five decades to assure that all children have opportunities for success in life, coupled with the movement of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) out of monolithic institutional settings, has led to a shift in the pattern of health care delivery to the community. Once served in segregated settings, now children and adults with IDD can receive community-based health care included within the generic health care delivery system. While the generic system allows for a variety of options, the challenges faced by individuals with IDD and their families relate to the complex nature of their health care needs coupled with the emotional, social and economic factors that play out in these situations. This brief chapter will outline the trajectory of health care needs across the lifespan and of the way in which the services are configured to meet the needs, by using the example of a single child. It should be noted that this format is designed to orient the reader to the following chapters that address, in more detail, the different aspects of health care needs and health care delivery systems available in the community. |
