Associations between fracture incidence and use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and anti-epileptic drugs in women with developmental disabilities.

Purpose: We sought to evaluate any association between incidence of osteoporotic fractures and use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and/or anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) among women and girls with developmental disabilities.

Methods: Cross-sectional population-based observational study of all noninstitutionalized females with developmental disabilities age >/=13 who received fee-for-service Medicaid in Washington State during 2002 (n = 6,773), using administrative data.

Main Findings: In a sample of 6,773 females, 140 women (2%) had an osteoporotic fracture during 2002.

Striving for therapeutic relationships: parent-provider communication in the developmental treatment setting.

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to develop a beginning substantive theory that explains the communication process between parents of children receiving center-based services for developmental delays and disabilities and the professional providers of those services. Communication is defined broadly as including both content and relationship dimensions. Twenty parents and 14 providers described their experience of communication with one another.