Alt text on BCH Logo

Developmental Intervention Curated Collection

Ages 0 - 24+ Years

Young people with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are at a higher than usual risk of developmental delays and disabilities. Appropriate and timely interventions can help them to reach their potential and meet their goals. This collection highlights the many services and professional interventions that can help families and children to make continual developmental progress.

A mom with short black hair sits on a white couch and holds up her baby, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and is standing on her lap.
Services to support a baby's motor skills

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are sometimes slower to learn how to use their bodies. These interventions can help them to work towards their next milestone.

A small child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) reaches out to move large wooden beads on an abacus toy.
Services to support motor skills in young children

Young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can often make faster progress if they receive professional intervention to build strength, coordination, and balance.

A little girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wearing a peach colored shirt and black leggings is climbing up a wooden ladder into a play structure.
Services to support kids' motor skills

Kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes need help building strength and coordination in their bodies and/or their hands. Intervention can help.

A teenage girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and a walker stands in a grassy field, looking up at the trees.
Services to support motor skills in teens

When teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) need to build or rebuild physical skills, these interventions can help them to reach their goals.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a blue shirt and is holding a white towel and a basketball.
Services to build adult motor skills

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes can't use their bodies as well as they would like. Interventions can help them to build, regain, and maintain motor skills.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a brown shirt and uses a drumstick to bang on a white drum.
Services to build cognitive skills in babies

Babies have a lot to learn about the world, and sometimes babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) need some extra help. These interventions can help babies to develop their thinking and understanding.

A mom and dad sit on a picnic blanket on a green grass field with their daughter, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and a full head of curly hair, and is blowing a dandelion.
Services to help young children with cognitive skills

These interventions can give young children the boost they need to develop their thinking, learning, and understanding.

Two young girls with congenital heart defects (CHDs) stand in tall grass next to a river. One girl looks at the water and the other looks back at the camera.
Services to support cognitive skills in kids

During middle childhood, kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes need support in developing their thinking, learning, and understanding. These interventions can help.

A teenage girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) is wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans, and listening to headphones.
Services to support cognitive skills in teens

When teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) struggle to think, learn, and solve problems, these services and interventions can help them to meet their goals.

A young man with a congenital heart defect and white shirt holds a young woman on his back, while they both laugh.
Services to support adult cognitive skills

Learning doesn't stop at age 18, and adults can still get help to build their skills in thinking, learning, and understanding. These interventions help many adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

A dad leans over his young son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), braids, and a white shirt, as both laugh.
Services for early learning

These services and interventions can help young children learn the skills they will need in order to enter formal schooling.

Two dads with brown hair and black T-shirts lean over their daughter, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and a pink dress, and is working on a craft project on a wooden table.
Services to support elementary school learning

These interventions and services can help elementary school children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to make progress apropriate their their potential at school.

A middle school girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wearing a blue plaid shirt sits with her knee up, looking away.
Services to support learning in middle school

These services can help middle schoolers with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to reach their academic potential.

Two teen boys with congenital heart defects are holding drills and wearing safety glasses, working on a car.
Services to support high school learning

High school students with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often need intervention in order to do as well as possible in school. Here are some services that may help.

A group of young men with congenital heart defects stands in a huddle, listening intently to one talking.
Services to support learning in adulthood

Young adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) go many different directions after high school. Regardless of their path, they may need ongoing support for their learning.

A dad cradles his infant son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), while the baby's other holds the baby's hands and smiles.
Interventions to promote a baby's social skills

Early social development can be disrupted in babies who are often sick and hospitalized. These services can help a baby and family to build strong early social skills.

A toddler with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and black hair squats next to a yellow puppy and blows a kiss.
Services to promote social skills in young children

These interventions can help young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to build their social understanding and social skills.

Two children with congenital heart defects are wearing backpacks and hats, and looking together at a phone.
Services to support social development in kids

When kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) have delays or differences in their social skills, these interventions can help them.

A dad stands on a porch with his arm around his teen son, who has a congenital heart defect. Both wear black shirts and red shorts.
Services to build social skills in teens

Some teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) struggle with the social demands of middle and high school. These services can help them to develop better social skills.

Two young adult women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) stand in the snow, laughing and wearing gray wool coats.
Social skills interventions for adults

Adults can still work on their social skills, and social skills interventions can make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Here are some ideas.

A father with a brown beard holds his infant girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) on his lap, reading her a picture book.
Language interventions for babies

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can sometimes need support in learning to use and understand language. These interventions can help them to make progress.

Two toddler boys with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and brown curly hair sit in front of a row of corn, talking to each other.
Services to build language in young children

Young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can get help in building their capacity to use and understand language.

A child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and long brown hair sits quietly in front of a setting sun.
Services to support children's language

School-age kids sometimes struggle with aspects of language learning. These interventions can help them to communicate and connect.

Two teen boys with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and blue hoodies stand with their mom, who wears a plaid jacket, looking out at a lake.
Language services for teens

Language demands continue to increase as kids get older, and teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes struggle to keep up. These interventions can help them to develop more advanced language skills.

Two young women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sit on a bench, facing each other and talking.
Language services for adults

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes struggle with communication and language. These services can help them.

A baby with a congenital heart defect sits on a parents hip, with a brown pigtail and sucking on a pink pacifier.
Services to support a baby's emotional skills

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can have trouble learning to recognize, regulate, and communicate their emotions. These interventions can help them to build emotional skills.

A girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and black curly hair wears a gray jumpsuit and blows bubbles on a paved path, while her father leans over her.
Services to build young children's emotional skills

Young children can have a hard time understanding and managing their emotions, and responding to the emotions of others. These interventions can help build their early emotional intelligence.

A woman in a white shirt with black hair sits at a low wooden table, playing a game with her two girls, who have congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Services for children's emotional learning

Kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes need support in learning how to recognize and respond to emotions. These interventions can be helpful.

Two teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) stand in a classroom, wearing backpacks and holding books in their arms.
Supports for emotions in teens

The teenage years are often tumultuous, and can be more so when a young person has a chronic illness. These interventions can help teens to understand and manage their emotions.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome stands in a greenhouse, smiling and holding a plant.
Services to support adult emotional functioning

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can struggle to understand and manage complex emotions. These interventions can support their emotional learning.

A baby with a congenital heart defect is wrapped in a fleece blanket, and looks up at the camera.
Developmental Care

Developmental Care is a set of practices that can improve outcomes for hospitalized babies. Learn how Developmental Care could help your baby.

A mother sits in a hospital care holding her baby, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), against her chest under a dark blue blanket.
A view into Developmental Care

This blog gives more information and an inside look into Developmental Care, and the promise it holds to help babies born with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and black hair wheres a green and yellow hoodie and sits at a table, looking up.
Early Intervention (EI)

Early Intervention is a program for young children (ages 0, 1, 2) at risk of developmental delays, and nearly all children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to receive this critical service.

A mother in a dark red head scarf holds her baby boy, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and wears a light blue outfit, in front of a green background.
Guide to Early Intervention (EI)

This step-by-step guide directs parents and caregivers on the steps to set up early intervention for their young child.

A woman wearing pink scrubs holds a baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) on his stomach on a blue cylinder.
Head Start and Early Head Start

Some young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) qualify for Head Start or Early Head Start, and can receive developmental interventions including daycare and preschool.

A little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) stands with his hands in his pockets, wearing blue shorts and a navy cardigan sweater.
Enrolling in preschool

Preschool can be an important intervention for many kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs), and can help to prepare them for Kindergarten.

A mother and a little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) sit at a low wooden desk, drawing with crayons on a paper.
Preschool Special Education

Young children with disabilities can often qualify for free public preschool or other services. Here's more information about this critical intervention.

A dad sits cross-legged at a low table, playing a boardgame with a little girl with black hair and a congenital heart defect (CHD), who wears a rainbow-striped dress.
Special Education and 504 Plans

Special Education and 504 Plans can help many children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to find success and confidence at school.

A little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and black hair sits at a school desk, writing on a paper.
Special Education

Special Education services, modifications, and accommodations can give children with disabilities the free public education that they deserve.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome wears a gray hoodie, and shakes hands with a friend, who has black curly hair.
18-22 Special Education programs

Young adults with disabilities sometimes qualify for public education between the ages of 18 and 22. These services can help them to prepare to meet their adult goals.

A little girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and short blond hair wears an orange shirt and lies on her stomach on a bed, working on a laptop computer.
Supporting kids during hospitalizations

When a child is hospitalized for a long time, many service providers are available to keep them busy, engaged, and interested.

Two girls with congenital heart defects (CHDs) rollerblade on a paved path between grassy hills.
Cardiac fitness programs

Cardiac fitness programs can help young people with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to establish and maintain a safe and sustainable exerise program.

A woman with a yellow shirt and a face mask discusses cardiac fitness at Boston Children's Hospital.
Cardiac Fitness: professional conferences

This set of recordings from the Boston Children's Hospital Cardiac Fitness Symposia shares expert guidance for professionals and families about implementing an effective cardiac fitness program.

A girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and a brown ponytail works on her homework on a desk.
Executive function training

Young people with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often struggle with their executive functions. Executive function training or coaching can be a helpful intervention.

A little girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and glasses wears a sundress and stands in a field in front of a horse.
Horse-assisted therapies

Horse-assisted therapies including therapeutic riding and hippotherapy can help some kids with heart defects with motor skills, mental health, and social skills. Learn more here.

Two children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) put their hands together in a circle at a summer camp.
Camps for patients, siblings, and families

Camps can be a special way for kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to learn new skills, challenge themselves, and make friends.

A man with blond hair and a brown shirt sits on the ground at a low table, playing a game with his blond daughter, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD).
Psychotherapy for kids with heart defects

Kids with heart defects sometimes struggle to manage their thoughts and feelings. Therapy can help. Here's how.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) with a black beard and white polo shirt sits on a green field, laughing and holding a fluffy dog.
Psychotherapy for teens and adults

Young adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often benefit from therapy to help them to process their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.

A baby with a congenital heart defect sits in a ball pit, wears a red dress and red bow, and sticks out her tongue.
Speech and language therapy for babies

Speech and language therapy can help babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) with communication, understanding, and also eating and swallowing.

A toddler girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and brown curly hair holds her hands over her mouth.
Speech and language therapy for young children

Young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes have trouble understanding and using language, and/or eating and drinking. Speech and language therapy can often help.

A speech and language pathologist in a black shirt bends down while signing next to her mouth, talking to a little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wearing a red shirt.
Speech and language therapy for kids

School-age kids with congenital heart defects sometimes have lasting challenges expressing themselves fully and clearly, and understanding what others mean when they talk. Speech and language therapy can help them.

A dad in a white tank top sits cross-legged on a bed, talking to his daughter, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), a pink shirt, and braids.
Speech language therapy for teens

Teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can sometimes struggle with the increased complexity of language used in the classroom and in their social world. A speech-language pathologist can often help.

A young woman with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome is wearing a puffy red coat and scarf, holding a tablet, and looking up at the camera.
Speech and language therapy for adults

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can still make progress with their language, both spoken and written. Speech and language pathologists work with people of all ages to help them to meet their goals.

A boy with a congenital heart defect and brown curly hair wears a blue shirt and writes with a pencil in his notebook.
Home and hospital (homebound) instruction

Students with frequent medical absences have a right to free and appropriate public education in their home or hospital room. Learn more.

A Child Life specialist in blue scrubs stands at the bedside of a little girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD), holding up a teddy bear.
Child Life

Child Life Specialists can support families and children in the hospital, providing comfort and enrichment during visits and procedures.

A music therapist at Boston Children's Hospital smiles and plays a guitar at the bedside of a baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD).
Speech language therapy for teens

Teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can sometimes struggle with the increased complexity of language used in the classroom and in their social world. A speech-language pathologist can often help.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a white shirt and lies on a white blanket on her side, while an adult gently cups her body.
Physical therapy for babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often need physical therapy (PT) in order to build strength and coordination in their bodies.

Several boys with congenital heart defects (CHDs) play soccer on a green grass field.
Physical therapy for kids and teens

Physical therapy can help many kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) meet motor milestones, and build the strength and coordination they need to reach their physical goals.

A young woman with a congenital heart defect (CHD), a tan dress, and a burgundy head scarf walks on a treadmill while a physical therapist (PT) watches.
Physical therapy for adults

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can need physical therapy, either short-term or long-term. PT can help them to build and maintain strength and agility, and to recover from illness or injury.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears an orange jacket and gray hood, and smiles at his mother on a playground.
Occupational therapy for babies

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often need occupational therapy to help them with skills such as self-regulation, using their hands, and learning play skills.

A little girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a pink shirt and puts colored wooden pegs in a pegboard.
Occupational therapy for young children

Toddlers and preschoolers with congenital heart defects (CHDs) frequently benefit from occupational therapy to help them learn the skills they need to engage fully in activities at home and at preschool.

A little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a blue shirt and sits on a brown couch, playing a recorder.
Occupational therapy for kids and teens

Kids and teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often get occupational therapy both in and out of school. OTs can help them with self-care skills, school activities, sensory processing, daily routines, and recreation.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and dark hear listens to music on headphones and works on an electrical project.
Occupational therapy for adults

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often continue to benefit from occupational therapy, in order to participate as fully as possible in their daily lives. OTs can help with work skills, independent living, physical skills, and social skills, for example.

A girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) sits in a grassy park, hugging her yellow lab service dog.
Service dogs

Service dogs can help some kids with congenital heart defects. Dogs can be trained to do jobs such as calm anxiety, detect seizures, retrieve objects, and offer physical support.

A dad crouches down, holding his son who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) on his shoulders.
Services to help with behavior and regulation

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes have challenging behaviors and unregulated emotions. Professionals can help families to manage these difficulties, and to bring more calm into the home.

Three children wtih congenital heart defects (CHDs) gather around a table outside, looking at images on a paper.
School services for kids with cognitive differences

When children have significant differences in how they think and learn, schools can offer robust services to help kids to make as much progress as possible.

Four high school students with congenital heart defects (CHDs) stand outside under green trees in a group hug.
School services for teens with cognitive differences

Teens with intellectual disabilities (ID) or other intellectual differences should receive strong supports from their schools. Here are some of the ways in which schools can help.

A man stands on a dock in front of a lake, pushing another man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in a wheelchair.
Services and programs for adults

Adults with disabilities have the right to services and supports that can help them to learn new skills and meet life goals.

© 2026 All rights reserved