A Timely Reminder from Texas Children’s Hospital
Dr. Eboni Smith from Texas Children’s writes a timely reminder of monitoring for signs of developmental challenges and seeking out help during this back-to-school season.
School is now in full swing and the change in seasons is just around the corner. The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for both parents and children. Days are filled with new schedules, homework and extracurricular activities which can make it very easy to miss the signs that your child is in need of an evaluation or check-up.
Through advances in medical and surgical care, the majority of newborns and children born with congenital heart disease, also known as CHD, now receive treatment early in life and thrive. Although that is the case, it is always best to monitor your child and look for any signs of developmental challenges or changes.
Infants and children with CHD have been found to have an increased risk to difficulties with learning and development, such as issues with language and vision, attention and behavioral challenges and delays in motor and cognitive skills.
These problems can be very subtle and are not always easy to recognize, especially at an early age. In older children, what may seem like difficulties with school and schoolwork, may actually be related to their congenital heart disease.
However, these issues can be detected at their earliest stages through Cardiac Developmental Outcomes Programs, such as the one at, here, at Texas Children’s Hospital, where children receive timely neurodevelopmental evaluations, referrals and follow-ups. Talk to your doctor about whether a cardiac development outcomes program is right for your child.
More about Texas Children’s Cardiac Development Outcomes Program
The Cardiac Developmental Outcomes Program is focused on providing the best care for children in a family-centered environment. Parents or caregivers play a crucial role in a child’s development. The family will be consulted and involved in the assessment and interventions for a child’s neurological developmental progress. Texas Children’s expert team can also help families find resources that support their child’s development in the community.
For more information about the Cardiac Developmental Program, visit here or call 832-826-5979.
Dr. Eboni Smith is a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician who works as a part of the Cardiology Developmental Outcomes Program team. As a part of this team, Dr. Smith provides developmental-behavioral pediatric care for infants and children with complex congenital heart defects.