Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program (CNOP)

Helping Kids Reach Developmental Milestones After Heart Surgery

Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program (CNOP)

The American Heart Association recommends developmental evaluations throughout childhood for infants, children and teens with congenital heart disease. The Heart Center’s Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program (CNOP) evaluates your child’s development throughout childhood and helps connect you to services or interventions if needed. The sooner a delay or concern is found, the better we can help your child. We want to help them reach their full potential and have the best quality of life.

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What Types of Delays Can CNOP Help With?

Children with congenital heart disease are at increased risk for developmental concerns. This includes delays or challenges with:

  • Motor skills
  • Language and communication 
  • Visual spatial, attention, memory and organization (neurocognitive skills)
  • Learning
  • Feeding/eating
  • Mood
  • Behavior

If your child has congenital heart disease, contact our team if:

  • They had open heart surgery before they were 1 year old. 
  • You have concerns for their development, attention, memory, learning, mood or behaviors.
  • You have questions or would like to know more about our program.

Click here to read an article from the American Heart Association about supporting development in children with congenital heart disease.

How Can CNOP Help my Child?

Our team uses evidence-based tools to track each child’s development throughout childhood. Areas evaluated can include:

  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Feeding problems
  • Speech and language development
  • Memory, attention problem solving, organizing (neurocognitive skills) 
  • Problems in school 
  • Behavioral concerns
  • Emotional needs

This information helps us know your child’s strengths, and what areas they may need help with.

We will give recommendations for each child’s follow-up and treatment plans. We can also refer to early intervention as well as other specialized care providers at Nationwide Children’s. Referral services include: 

Our team may have suggestions for supporting your child at school. This may include suggestions for supports through a Section 504 Plan or special education services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

We want the best for your child’s health and development. Concerns with development can occur at different ages as your child grows. Our team can help support you and your child so they can continue to develop and grow.

A Team of Specialists With One Focus: Your Child

The Heart Center’s Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program (CNOP) is designed to be part of our patient’s regular care. We prevent, identify and offer suggestions and/or referrals to treat developmental problems.

Our team of pediatric experts is made up of:

  • Cardiologists
  • Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians
  • Neurologists
  • Physical, occupational and speech therapists
  • Neuropsychologists and psychologists
  • Advanced practice nurses (APNs)
  • Social workers
  • Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program nurse coordinator

Your child’s pediatrician will still check development and share recommendations throughout their life. The results of any evaluations we do will be shared with your child’s pediatrician.

What Are My Next Steps?

At the Heart Center, we want to make sure your child is getting the care they need for their development. Contact us even if your child is getting services outside of the Heart Center, such as Help Me Grow™, to make sure all of their developmental needs are met.