Adult Intervention Targeted Toolkit

Ages 18 - 24+ Years

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes sometimes need services and supports in order to achieve the goals they've set for themselves. The services in this toolkit help many adults with heart defects by making their lives easier, lessening burdens, and offering new opportunities.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a blue shirt and is holding a white towel and a basketball.

Motor/ movement

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes can't use their bodies as well as they would like. Interventions can help them to build, regain, and maintain motor skills.

A young man with a congenital heart defect and white shirt holds a young woman on his back, while they both laugh.

Cognition/ thinking

Learning doesn't stop at age 18, and adults can still get help to build their skills in thinking, learning, and understanding. These interventions help many adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

A group of young men with congenital heart defects stands in a huddle, listening intently to one talking.

Adult learning

Young adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) go many different directions after high school. Regardless of their path, they may need ongoing support for their learning.

Two young adult women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) stand in the snow, laughing and wearing gray wool coats.

Social

Adults can still work on their social skills, and social skills interventions can make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Here are some ideas.

Two young women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sit on a bench, facing each other and talking.

Language

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes struggle with communication and language. These services can help them.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome stands in a greenhouse, smiling and holding a plant.

Emotions

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can struggle to understand and manage complex emotions. These interventions can support their emotional learning.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome wears a gray hoodie, and shakes hands with a friend, who has black curly hair.

18-22 Special Education

Young adults with disabilities sometimes qualify for public education between the ages of 18 and 22. These services can help them to prepare to meet their adult goals.

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

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

Two college students with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and intellectual disabilities (ID) sit on a lawn talking, in front of a row of yellow trees.

Inclusive colleges

Some young adults with intellectual differences choose to attend a college program designed especially for students with their needs.

A young woman with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and Down Syndrome is wearing a puffy red coat and scarf, holding a tablet, and looking up at the camera.

Speech and language therapy

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can still make progress with their language, both spoken and written. Speech and language pathologists work with people of all ages to help them to meet their goals.

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.

A young woman with a congenital heart defect (CHD), a tan dress, and a burgundy head scarf walks on a treadmill while a physical therapist (PT) watches.

Physical therapy (PT)

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can need physical therapy, either short-term or long-term. PT can help them to build and maintain strength and agility, and to recover from illness or injury.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and dark hear listens to music on headphones and works on an electrical project.

Occupational therapy (OT)

Adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often continue to benefit from occupational therapy, in order to participate as fully as possible in their daily lives. OTs can help with work skills, independent living, physical skills, and social skills, for example.

A man stands on a dock in front of a lake, pushing another man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in a wheelchair.

Government programs

Adults with disabilities have the right to services and supports that can help them to learn new skills and meet life goals.

A college student with a congenital heart defect (CHD) reads a book and has an open laptop on his desk.

College disability accommodations

College students with disabilities have the right to fully access the curriculum. Learn how to get the accommodations you need to succeed.

A young man with a congenital heart defect (CHD) sits at an outdoor picnic table, smiling and holding up a pen.

Intellectual disability (ID) services

When adults have differences in how they think and learn, they often benefit from additional services and supports.