Social Skills Services for Kids with Heart Defects

In the United States, children (ages 3-21) with disabilities often qualify for Special Education, including many children with heart defects (CHDs). Special Education services can teach and support social skills. 

Special Education services that can support social development include:

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Behavior support with a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA)

• Counseling with a psychologist or social worker

• The help of an aide

• Social skills groups

• Home services

• Supervised lunch or recess activities

• Placement in a therapeutic classroom or school

Sometimes, students do not qualify for Special Education, but need accommodations for social skills.  “Accommodations” are changes in how the child is taught, and can be included through Special Education or a 504. Qualifying students can get accommodations through a 504 Plan if they have a disability that prevents them from having equal access to the curriculum.  

504 Plan accommodations for social skills could be:

• Sitting with a preferred peer

• Adult-led games during recess

• Access to a counselor

• Not playing competitive games

• General education social skills groups

• Teacher check-ins during group activities

If parents are worried about a child's social skills and do not believe the school is meeting their child's needs, they should request an IEP or 504 Plan eligibility evaluation.

Many therapists are experts in helping children to understand and develop social interactions.  Therapists can be psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors.

There are many different types of therapy, and families should find a therapist who is a good fit with their values and goals.

Types of therapy that can help children include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Exposure Therapy (for social phobias)

• Family Therapy

• Group Therapy

• Parent Guidance

• Play Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Social challenges are often closely related to language problems. Speech and Language Pathologists are often helpful in teaching children social skills.

SLPs can help children build social skills by:

• teaching them "pragmatics": the social and practical side of language

• helping them to start, maintain, and leave conversations

• teaching norms of interaction in different context

• helping them to understand and react appropriately to what others are saying

• helping them to communicate in a way other people understand

Children can receive speech and language therapy at school, in a hospital, or in a clinic. Families should ask their school team and their doctor about options for speech and language therapy in their area.

Social supports are important for nearly all people, and are particularly vital for people with chronic illnesses including congenital heart defects.

Teaching social skills in childhood helps kids to build real reciprocal relationships. Strong relationships can help to sustain them and lift them up throughout their lives.

This content was reviewed by a psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital.

Developmental care is best when it is local. Families local to Boston can receive care from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (CNP). Families from other regions can use the link below to find their local care team.