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Brief

Services to Support Language in Babies with CHDs

Ages 0 - 12 Months

Even though infants rarely learn to speak more than a few words before their first birthday, infancy is an important time for language development. Most babies learn fundamental skills and concepts that allow them to become full conversational partners in just a couple of years. Babies with heart defects often face risks and experiences that make it harder to learn language. Intervention can help babies to meet milestones, build underlying language skills, and learn ways of communicating.

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Speech and Language TherapyFinding Speech and Language Therapy 

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) are experts in how people learn to speak, use, and understand language.   

SLPs can help babies with skills such as: 

  • Engaging and socializing with others 

  • Establishing pre-language skills, such as imitation, attention, cause and effect, and language-based play

  • Using the muscles in their mouth  

  • Making sounds with their mouth, including vowel sounds like "ahhh" (cooing) and repeated consonant-vowel combinations like "bababa" (babbling)

  • Understanding words

Finding Speech and Language Therapy 

Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologists work with babies in multiple settings:

  • Early Intervention (EI) 

  • Hospitals 

  • Clinics 

Many babies with a heart defect qualify for free Speech and Language Therapy through Early Intervention (EI).  Families can call their local EI program to request an evaluation for their child. 

When a baby has a heart defect, medical insurance will often pay for Speech and Language Therapy.  Families can talk with their doctors about options for Speech and Language services in their area.   

This content was reviewed by a Speech and Language Pathologist at Boston Children's Hospital

Families local to Boston can contact Boston Children's Hospital's Speech and Language Pathology Program below.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Associationhttps://www.asha.org/
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