Neurodevelopmental Follow Up Program
Why Neurodevelopmental Assessment for Heart Patients?
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect in human, affecting eight in 1,000 births. Researchers have identified multiple factors, which may predispose children with CHD to delays in their motor development, coordination and learning ability before they reach school-age.
While recently published studies indicate that most children experiencing neurodevelopment delays rebound by school-age to expected norms for learning and behavior, it's vital to identify this condition early so that young cardiovascular patients may reach their full potential.
Children's Cardiovascular Neurodevelopental Follow-Up Clinic provides pediatric cardiovascular patients and their families with the assessment, treatment and training resources they need to ensure that patients enjoy the highest potential for development, cognitive and quality-of-life success.
In collaboration with primary care providers, Children's Cardiovascular Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic provides pediatric cardiovascular patients and their families with the expertise of a team of specialists:
- Cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons and pediatric nurse practitioners
- Developmental-behavior pediatricians
- Child psychologists
- Occupational therapists
Together, Children's professionals create a blueprint of success for our young patients - throughout their pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care.
A Result Focus
In addition to providing patients, families and primary caregivers with crucial insight into the current developmental status of young cardiovascular patients, the Children's Cardiovascular Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic is a home base for ongoing patient care and success.
Ultimately, our goal is to see our young cardiovascular patients achieve and enjoy the same quality of life as all other children.
Working with our Clinic
Children's Cardiovascular Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up clinic simply requires a referral from patient's primary care provider and/or cardiologist. Patients are initially seen by a pediatrician in the Developmental Pediatric Clinic, who then coordinates any additional examinations and follow-up care needed.
Children treated at the Cardiovascular Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic receive comprehensive clinical and developmental evaluations at two critical stages of growth.
With each of these assessments, parents and their primary care providers are provided a comprehensive report of clinical findings and developmental testing, and a follow-up treatment plan, if needed. Parents also receive further guidance on steps they may take to help their childrren at home, including accessing community and educational resources.