Pediatric cardiac neurodevelopmental care at Dell Children's
If your child has developmental delays caused by congenital heart disease, they need specialized care from experienced doctors. At Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease at Dell Children's Medical Center at Ascension Seton – the only comprehensive children’s heart center in Central Texas – we deliver specialized care for infants, children and teens with developmental delays related to a congenital heart condition. Our goal is to promote your child’s healthy development and quality of life. Only in Austin. Only at Dell Children’s.
Conditions we diagnose and treat
Our approach to care
Pediatric heart care backed by research
The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease at Dell Children's Medical Center is a collaboration between Dell Children’s Medical Center at Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
Care for your child at every age
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Infant and toddler clinic (birth to 2 years)Your child will undergo neurodevelopmental testing to evaluate their cognitive, language, and motor development as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral development. Your child will also attend a screening visit with a neurologist or a nurse practitioner who will conduct an exam to assess their mental status, speech, cranial nerves, muscle tone, motor skills, sensation, and reflexes. Your child’s provider will discuss your goals and concerns for your child with your child’s entire care team, and you will receive the test results and the care team’s treatment recommendations at the end of the appointment. If needed, referrals will be made for physical, occupational, speech, or behavioral therapy.
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School readiness clinic (3 to 5 years)Before starting preschool or kindergarten, your child will undergo other neuropsychological evaluations. These evaluations will assess your child’s thinking skills, early academic knowledge, speech, motor skills, and early attention development as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Any recommendations for promoting development and learning will be provided to you in a feedback appointment as well as in a written report that will be shared with your child’s cardiologist.
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School age clinic (6 to 18 years)Your child will undergo additional neuropsychological evaluations at specific stages throughout their academic journey. These stages have been identified as pivotal transition periods with increased expectations in which children with heart disease are more likely to experience new difficulties. These transition periods often occur when children are entering third grade, before the start of middle school, before the start of high school, and before the transition to adulthood. Each evaluation is tailored to your child’s specific needs, but generally includes an evaluation of your child’s intellectual skills, speech, visual-spatial skills, learning and memory, attention, executive functioning (skills such as self-regulation, planning, and organization), academic skills, and motor skills as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Any recommendations for promoting development and learning will be provided to you in a feedback appointment as well as in a written report that will be shared with your child’s cardiologist.