Social Skill Services for Teens with Heart Defects
Ages 13 - 17 Years
If families are worried about a teen's social development, they do not need to manage alone. Many professionals are experts in supporting adolescents with heart defecgts to navigate an increasingly-complex social landscape.
In this section
Help through Schools
In the United States, students (ages 3-21) with disabilities often qualify for Special Education. 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. Qualifying students can get accommodations through a 504 Plan.
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 teenager'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, or reconvene meeting.
&w=3840&q=75)
Psychotherapy
Many therapists are experts in helping teens to understand and develop social interactions. Therapists can be psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, 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 teenagers include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Exposure Therapy (for social phobias)
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Parent Guidance
Psychodynamic Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Families can ask their medical or developmental care team to refer them to an appropriate therapist and type of therapy. Many therapists accept medical insurance.
&w=3840&q=75)
Speech and Language Therapy
Social challenges are often closely related to language problems. Speech and Language Pathologists are often helpful in teaching kids social skills.
SLPs can help teens 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 contexts
helping them to understand and react appropriately to what others are saying
helping them to communicate in a way other people understand
Teens 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.
&w=3840&q=75)
Social Skills for Overall Wellbeing
Social supports are important for nearly all people, and are particularly vital for people with chronic illnesses.
Development strong social skills in adolescence helps teens to build and maintain supportive 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.
Want to Learn More?
Look below for related resources, search resources by topic, or explore one of our custom guides.
Don't see what you're looking for? Let us know what you want to learn! We will try to add content to respond to your needs. Email CNPschedulingandquestions@childrens.harvard.edu