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Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Contact Us
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Contact Us
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Contact Us
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Leaders in Helping Kids Grow Up Strong
Children born with serious heart and vascular conditions have unique needs as they grow — especially those who’ve had heart surgery in their first year of life or long hospitalizations. </p>\r\n<p class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">91´óÉñ Children’s cardiac neurodevelopmental team helps kids live healthier lives. We identify and address developmental, learning, emotional and behavioral problems early so kids can grow up strong and happy.<br>\r\n</p>\r\n<p class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">We know how cardiovascular conditions affect a child, and family. As part of a renowned, award-winning pediatric heart center in <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/delaware-valley-pediatric-cardiac-center.html\">Delaware</a>, we work side by side, every day, with cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular genetics specialists, and more who treat the rarest, most complex conditions. <br>\r\n</p>\r\n<p class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Our psychology team is awarded and recognized around the world as leaders and researchers who shape the model of neurodevelopmental care for kids with congenital heart defects. We empower children and families to build their healthiest lives, physically and emotionally. <br>\r\n</p>\r\n"}} id=text-4e0272ad62 class=cmp-text>
Children born with serious heart and vascular conditions have unique needs as they grow — especially those who’ve had heart surgery in their first year of life or long hospitalizations.Â
91´óÉñ Children’s cardiac neurodevelopmental team helps kids live healthier lives. We identify and address developmental, learning, emotional and behavioral problems early so kids can grow up strong and happy.
We know how cardiovascular conditions affect a child, and family. As part of a renowned, award-winning pediatric heart center in Delaware, we work side by side, every day, with cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular genetics specialists, and more who treat the rarest, most complex conditions.Â
Our psychology team is awarded and recognized around the world as leaders and researchers who shape the model of neurodevelopmental care for kids with congenital heart defects. We empower children and families to build their healthiest lives, physically and emotionally.Â
Our Services
The 91´óÉñ cardiac neurodevelopmental team includes experts in <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/cardiac-psychology.html\">cardiac psychology</a>, neuropsychology, <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/pediatric-rehabilitative-medicine.html\">rehabilitation therapy</a>, social work, Child Life and others who tailor care to your child. </p>\r\n<p class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Our services start even <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/fetal-heart.html\">before a baby is born</a> to help support families and prepare for birth. °Â±ð’r±ð here during hospitalization and throughout your child’s life <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/adult-congenital-heart-defects.html\">up to age 40</a>. We offer a variety of assessments, therapies and resources to help improve:</p>\r\n<ul class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Anxiety and depression</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Attention</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Behavior</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Daily living activities </li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Family stress</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Feeding and swallowing </li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Learning and academics</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Memory</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Motor skills</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Sensory processing </li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Sleep</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Social and interpersonal skills</li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Speech and language </li>\r\n<li class=\"custom-cursor-default-hover\">Transition to adulthood</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}} id=text-7574a5bc3e class=cmp-text>
The 91´óÉñ cardiac neurodevelopmental team includes experts in cardiac psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation therapy, social work, Child Life and others who tailor care to your child.Â
Our services start even before a baby is born to help support families and prepare for birth. °Â±ð’r±ð here during hospitalization and throughout your child’s life up to age 40. We offer a variety of assessments, therapies and resources to help improve:
- Anxiety and depression
- Attention
- Behavior
- Daily living activitiesÂ
- Family stress
- Feeding and swallowingÂ
- Learning and academics
- Memory
- Motor skills
- Sensory processingÂ
- Sleep
- Social and interpersonal skills
- Speech and languageÂ
- Transition to adulthood
Two Leading Pediatric Heart Centers
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes. </p>\r\n"}} id=text-70960ae575 class=cmp-text>
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes. Â
Some kids with heart disease may need accommodations to succeed in school. Find out how individual education plans (IEPs) work from the experts at 91´óÉñ KidsHealth<sub>®</sub>.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-6e9f463694 class=cmp-text>
Some kids with heart disease may need accommodations to succeed in school. Find out how individual education plans (IEPs) work from the experts at 91´óÉñ KidsHealth®.
What happens during therapy? Find out more here.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-f71aaa9d1a class=cmp-text>
What happens during therapy? Find out more here.
Dealing with a serious illness can be hard for kids. Learn how to help your child manage stress and anxiety with focused breathing, guided imagery and creative therapy.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-a0f5021f25 class=cmp-text>
Dealing with a serious illness can be hard for kids. Learn how to help your child manage stress and anxiety with focused breathing, guided imagery and creative therapy.
When your child has special health care needs, you may feel overwhelmed at times. Find support and resources that can give you room to rest and rejuvenate. </p>\r\n"}} id=text-f62a962f27 class=cmp-text>
When your child has special health care needs, you may feel overwhelmed at times. Find support and resources that can give you room to rest and rejuvenate.Â
- one
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- three
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Conditions & Treatments</h2>\r\n"}} id=text-1e5d3d096e class=cmp-text>
Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-af0d57d852 class=cmp-text>
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Anxiety
Arrhythmia
Cardiomyopathy
Congenital Heart Defects
Depression
Down Syndrome
Heart Failure
Skeletal Dysplasia
Related Specialties & Programs</h2>\r\n"}} id=text-30f070cd2a class=cmp-text>
Related Specialties & Programs
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
Advanced Delivery Program
Advanced Life Support
Airway Tracheal Surgery
Behavioral Health (Psychology and Psychiatry)
Cardiac (Heart) Imaging
Cardiac Anesthesiology
Cardiac Center, Delaware Valley
Cardiac Center, Florida
Cardiac Critical Care
Cardiac Exercise Program
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Cardiac Neuromuscular Disorders
Cardiac Outcomes
Cardiac Psychology
Cardiac Rehabilitation & Fitness
Cardiac Research
Cardiac Second Opinions
Cardio Oncology
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiovascular Genetics
Catheterization/Interventional Cardiology
Coronary Anomalies Program
Dysautonomia (Autonomic Dysfunction)
Electrophysiology & Arrhythmia Program
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Fetal Heart Program
Genetics
Health Care Professional Resources
Heart Center Programs & Services
Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Program
Heart Transplant Program
Hematology
Inpatient Heart Care
Lymphatics Disease Program
Mechanical Circulatory Support
Meet Our Heart Center Team
Neonatology
Neurology
Newborn Heart Surgery
Nutrition
Orthopedics
Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat/ENT) 
Pacemakers Defibrillators Implanted Devices
Pediatric Intensive Care
Preventive Cardiology
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Pulmonology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Single Ventricle Program
Sleep Medicine
Sports Cardiology
Surgery for Rare Heart-Related Genetic Syndromes
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Program
Williams Syndrome Program
Your Child’s Heart Center Visit
Supporting Your Child’s Neurodevelopmental Health From the Start
°Â±ð’r±ð here for your family as your child grows, from infancy and early childhood to adolescence and adulthood. We check in regularly to help your child develop along with their peers.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-97b63b0299 class=cmp-text>
°Â±ð’r±ð here for your family as your child grows, from infancy and early childhood to adolescence and adulthood. We check in regularly to help your child develop along with their peers.
600+
Number of kids we’ve helped after heart surgery</p>\r\n"}} id=text-d1775a5597 class=cmp-text>
Number of kids we’ve helped after heart surgery
40
Maximum age, in years, we can see patients with congenital heart disease</p>\r\n"}} id=text-5c30cab0f2 class=cmp-text>
Maximum age, in years, we can see patients with congenital heart disease
2012
Year 91´óÉñ began offering cardiac-specific neurodevelopmental care</p>\r\n"}} id=text-323ce7ea4b class=cmp-text>
Year 91´óÉñ began offering cardiac-specific neurodevelopmental care
Our program, called <b>the Cardiac Learning and Early Development (LEAD) Program, is well established.</b> <b>We were among the earliest to offer this care to kids </b>with heart disease. </p>\r\n"}} id=text-9912b154f3 class=cmp-text>
Our program, called the Cardiac Learning and Early Development (LEAD) Program, is well established. We were among the earliest to offer this care to kids with heart disease.Â
Our team includes <b>the first psychologist to earn a prestigious award for outstanding commitment to improving neurodevelopmental outcomes</b> of children with heart disease.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-b512cc859a class=cmp-text>
Our team includes the first psychologist to earn a prestigious award for outstanding commitment to improving neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with heart disease.
°Â±ð’r±ð <b><a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/services/delaware-valley-pediatric-cardiac-center/cardiac-research.html\">researching</a> how congenital heart defects affect families and creating programs that improve neurodevelopment health in children</b>, even before birth.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-1898cb0878 class=cmp-text>
°Â±ð’r±ð researching how congenital heart defects affect families and creating programs that improve neurodevelopment health in children, even before birth.
<b>Your child sees the same team, who knows them and their unique condition</b>, for a whole lifetime of care. </p>\r\n"}} id=text-8855f49740 class=cmp-text>
Your child sees the same team, who knows them and their unique condition, for a whole lifetime of care.Â
Meet the Team
The 91´óÉñ cardiac neurodevelopmental team is experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now. </p>\r\n"}} id=text-5ec3b4b2ac class=cmp-text>
The 91´óÉñ cardiac neurodevelopmental team is experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now.Â
-
Jessie Bereda, SLP
Communicative Disorders -
Erica Dolores Sood, PhD
Psychology Director, Cardiac Learning and Development (LEAD) Associate Professor of Pediatric Psychology, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video</h2>\r\n"}} id=text-37eb59f156 class=cmp-text>
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-1c6d5449c3 class=cmp-text>
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.