Teen Intervention Targeted Toolkit

Ages 13 - 17 Years

Teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes face developmental challenges. Intervention can help them to meet their goals. The interventions featured on this page are helpful to many teens with heart defects, and focusing on these services can help families and providers feel confident that they are meeting a teen's needs.

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

Motor/ movement

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

A teenage girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) is wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans, and listening to headphones.

Cognition/ thinking

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 middle school girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wearing a blue plaid shirt sits with her knee up, looking away.

Middle school learning

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.

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 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.

Social

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 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

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

Emotions

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 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.

Two children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) put their hands together in a circle at a summer camp.

Camps

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

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.

Therapy

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

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 and language therapy

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 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.

Several boys with congenital heart defects (CHDs) play soccer on a green grass field.

Physical therapy (PT)

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 little boy with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a blue shirt and sits on a brown couch, playing a recorder.

Occupational therapy (OT)

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.

Cardiac fitness

Cardiac fitness programs can help teens with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to establish safe and sustainable exercise programs.