Healthy Hearts & Minds Program
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Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for CHD neurodevelopmental follow-up care?
The Healthy Hearts & Minds Program follows children with congenital heart disease (CHD) from infancy through childhood to monitor their developmental skills, such as movement and language. Half of children with CHD experience developmental challenges, so this careful observation helps them get necessary care.
Through screenings, our specialists identify delays early and ensure your child receives the support they need to minimize challenges. Your child receives care from pediatric cardiologists and neuropsychologists who make sure their heart and mind are working as well as possible.
We research how heart defects affect brain development. Our groundbreaking findings have shaped cardiac neurodevelopmental care and informed new treatments for our patients, including brain-protective strategies and interventions.
Why choose UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals for CHD neurodevelopmental follow-up care?
The Healthy Hearts & Minds Program follows children with congenital heart disease (CHD) from infancy through childhood to monitor their developmental skills, such as movement and language. Half of children with CHD experience developmental challenges, so this careful observation helps them get necessary care.
Through screenings, our specialists identify delays early and ensure your child receives the support they need to minimize challenges. Your child receives care from pediatric cardiologists and neuropsychologists who make sure their heart and mind are working as well as possible.
We research how heart defects affect brain development. Our groundbreaking findings have shaped cardiac neurodevelopmental care and informed new treatments for our patients, including brain-protective strategies and interventions.
Comprehensive, personalized care
Our program includes specialists who collaborate to give children and families holistic care that addresses each child's unique needs.Proactive approach
We use detailed screenings to identify brain differences early, allowing your child to get the services and therapies they need to thrive.Coordinated support services
Our social workers coordinate with your child's school to make sure they have the support and resources to learn and socialize.Innovative research
We lead pediatric heart and brain research that aims to understand CHD's impact on the mind and how we can support healthy neurodevelopment.
Healthy Hearts & Minds Program services
Often, congenital heart defects are detected through a prenatal (pregnancy) ultrasound. Through the Healthy Hearts & Minds program, your child gets comprehensive care that treats heart problems while protecting brain development.
Our team collaborates with providers from our fetal, neonatal and pediatric programs to care for your child from before birth through early childhood:
Scheduled screenings
We work closely with the high-risk infant follow-up program to screen your child. Depending on your child's age, the screenings assess developmental milestones related to:
Movement
Language
Attention and memory
Learning
Socializing
Your child undergoes evaluations at:
6 months. A developmental screening at the high-risk infant follow-up program and evaluation by specialists in nutrition and social work
18 months. A developmental screening at the high-risk infant follow-up program, with nutrition and social work services as needed
2 ½ years. A developmental screening at the high-risk infant follow-up program, with nutrition and social work services as needed
4 to 5 years. Developmental and school readiness screening by a neuropsychologist, including assessment of cognitive skills, attention, learning and memory
10 to 12 years. Developmental and cognitive screening by a neuropsychologist
Care planning and supportive services
If our screenings identify any developmental delays, we help your child get the appropriate services. We create a care plan to navigate developmental challenges and minimize their impact on your child's life.
Our social workers work with schools and other settings to help your child get the support they need to learn and succeed. They also connect you to community resources that provide services for children with developmental differences.
Providers
Shabnam Peyvandi, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Hannah Glass, MD, MS
Pediatric Neurology
Daniel Alexander Garrison, PhD
Psychiatry
Shannon Lundy, PhD
Pediatrics (Developmental-Behavioral) • Psychology (Child and Adolescent Psychology)
Awards & achievements
Best in Northern California for cardiology & heart surgery
One of the nation's best for neurology & neurosurgery
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Developmental Delay
- Fetal Congenital Heart Disease
Treatments
- Developmental Assessment
- Neuropsychological Assessment
Brooklyn's story
Support our program
Research initiatives
UCSF Pediatric Heart Center ResearchOpens in a new window
Our team strives to improve the understanding and treatment of children with congenital and acquired heart disease through basic science, clinical trials and translational research.
Recommended reading
Healing hearts and protecting mindsOpens in a new window
Experts at UCSF are helping children born with complex heart defects lead full, healthy lives by protecting their brain, starting before birth.
Support services
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.