Milestone achievement in emerging adulthood in spina bifida: a longitudinal investigation of parental expectations.

The sample was English-speaking only, so it may not reflect families who do not speak English. Attrition was higher for families of young people with spina bifida between baseline and age 16 to 17; 52 of 68 remained compared with 61 of 68 in the typical development group. At age 22 to 23, 56 of 68 participants with spina bifida and 61 of 68 typical development participants returned questionnaires. Missing data were excluded listwise, which may have biased findings and reduced precision and power. Parents of children with typical development were not asked about milestone expectations, so parental expectations could not be compared between groups. Parental expectation scores were often high, with a greater number of responses at the high end, which may have made change over time harder to detect. Cognitive ability was measured with a receptive verbal test rather than a full intelligence test. Milestones were scored as achieved or not achieved, so part-time work or volunteer positions were not captured. The study examined associations over time, not the effect of an intervention.

The supplied text does not include a conflicts of interest or funding declaration. The journal record lists the work as supported by non-U.S. government and N.I.H. extramural sources.

Do not conclude that parental expectations cause or predict adult milestone achievement. The study was longitudinal and observational, and expectations at age 10 to 11 and changes by age 16 to 17 did not significantly predict milestone achievement at age 22 to 23.