Speech Therapy for Teens with Heart Defects (CHDs)

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

SLPs can help teens with expressive skills such as:

• saying words clearly

• using their voice loudly enough

• speaking smoothly, without stuttering

• putting words into sentences

• using different kinds of sentences

• expressing their wants and needs

• participating in a conversation

• telling a story

• organizing their ideas when they speak

• understanding and using the social norms of using language

• expressing ideas in their writing

SLPs can help teens with receptive skills such as:

• understanding sentences and stories

• listening and understanding during a conversation

• understanding spoken lessons

• reading comprehension

• following directions

• responding as expected to what other people say

• understanding social cues within conversation

• making sense of jokes and nonliteral language

• understanding abstract language

Some people do not learn speech and language in a typical way, even with intervention. SLPs can help everyone to communicate.

SPLs can help with:

• communicating with gestures, non-word sounds, and facial expression

• using augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) systems

• using a manual (signed) language instead of a spoken language

Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) are experts in how the mouth works, including how people eat, drink, and swallow.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, SLPs can help teens with feeding skills by:

• doing a swallow study to determine if the teen is aspirating (getting food into their breathing/respiratory tract instead of their stomach)

• strengthening mouth muscles

• helping a teen chew and swallow

• using cups and utensils

• adjusting the texture and consistency of food and drink to make swallowing easier and safer

• helping teens get used to the taste and feel of food, liquids, utensils, and cups in their mouth

• expanding the range of foods a teen will eat

• helping the teen participate in meals, even if they do not eat by mouth

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

• Schools

• Hospitals 

• Clinics 

In a hospital, many teens with heart defects can receive speech and language therapy to work on feeding and swallowing concerns. If they have an injury that causes them to lose speech or language skills, they can usually get speech and language therapy to re-learn lost skills. In many hospitals, kids may not be able to receive speech and language therapy while they are inpatient to learn new communication skills.

Many teens with heart defects can get free speech and language therapy through their school's Special Education. Families can contact their school district to request an evaluation.

When a teen has a heart defect, medical insurance will often pay for speech and language therapy in an outpatient setting.  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.

Developmental care is best when it is local. Families local to Boston can receive care from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and/or the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (CNP). Families from other regions can use the link below to find their local care team.