Overview

Overview

Cleveland Clinic Children’s ANCHOR Program is here for children who are at a higher risk for developmental delays.

Our team of specialists works together to catch potential challenges early, figure out exactly what your child needs and start support right away. We partner closely with your family at every step, making sure you have the tools, guidance and resources your child needs to thrive and reach their full potential.

To give every child the best care possible, we offer three tailored programs specifically for babies who spent time in the NICU, children with heart conditions and those affected by fetal alcohol exposure.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic Children’s?

  • Comprehensive care: Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation is one of the only comprehensive pediatric rehabilitation centers in the country. Also, the ANCHOR Program is the only multidisciplinary program in Northeast Ohio that provides neurodevelopmental monitoring and intervention for children with congenital heart disease. 
  • Care for adolescents and young adults: Along with infants and children, our team treats adolescents and young adults with potential neurodevelopmental delays. Patients can enter the cardiac ANCHOR Program at any age from birth through adolescence. We’ll also help transition our patients to adult care, when appropriate.
  • Expertise with developmental delays: Cleveland Clinic Children’s provides exceptional care for children with neurodevelopmental delays. Our team has over 35 years of combined expertise.
  • Recognized as a national heart leader: Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized throughout the U.S. for our expertise and care.
  • Multidisciplinary approach: Our team brings together experts from many different specialties, including developmental behavioral pediatrics, pediatric behavioral health, cardiology, physical therapy and social work to create an integrated care plan for your child. Patients may see up to five different specialists during one visit.
  • Care close to home: Cleveland Clinic Children’s has a large network of therapy locations throughout Cleveland and its surrounding areas. So you and your family can access trusted, high-quality care at a location near you.
Cardiology Program

Cardiology Program

Specialized care for patients with complex congenital heart disease

Thanks to incredible advances in medical care, children born with heart conditions (CHD) are living longer, fuller lives. But as these children grow, they can sometimes face challenges with learning, behavior or development.

That’s why long-term developmental tracking is such an important part of your child’s care. Catching and supporting these needs early gives your child the best chance to thrive and enjoy a high quality of life.

To help children with CHD attain their full developmental potential, these areas need to be evaluated and monitored:

  • Developmental milestones
  • Gross and fine motor skills
  • Speech and language skills
  • Feeding
  • Sleep
  • Preschool and school readiness
  • School performance and utilization of educational services and supports
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity issues
  • Executive functioning and self-regulation
  • Behavioral, emotional, or social interactions at home or school
  • Social determinants of health and family utilization of social supports and resources

Patients we treat

Our team sees pediatric cardiology patients that are at high-risk for neurodevelopmental concerns related to:

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Congenital heart disease with additional risk factors including genetic disorders, prematurity, seizures, long length of stay in the hospital, feeding or growth-related difficulties and psychosocial concerns
  • History of CPR or mechanical support
  • Heart surgery
  • Heart transplant
  • Other complications involving the heart

ANCHOR Program step-by-step process

  • Step 1: Initial visit & comprehensive evaluation
    • During the initial visit you’ll meet our multidisciplinary team who will assess your child for any neurodevelopmental and psychosocial concerns.
  • Step 2: Same day feedback & recommendations
    • At the end of your child’s initial visit (Step 1), our team will review the results of their assessment with you and offer individualized recommendations and referrals to address any identified concerns.
  • Step 3: School and community support
    • For children enrolled in school or receiving services through their school district, our education advocate will partner with you to share the results of your child’s evaluation with their school. Sharing results can help your child access the educational support they need.
  • Step 4: Long-term follow-up
    • As your child grows, the ANCHOR Program will provide regular monitoring and updated recommendations on how to best optimize their development.
NICU Program

NICU Program

Specialized care for NICU graduates and high-risk infants and children 

This ANCHOR Program is designed for:

  • NICU Follow-up Graduates: Children discharged from Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU Follow-up Clinic who require ongoing attention and care
  • High-Risk Infants and Children: Children not previously connected to our NICU Follow-up Clinic who are identified as high risk due to the complexity of their neonatal stay

We address concerns and provide support in the following areas:

  • Achievement of developmental milestones
  • Gross and fine motor skills
  • Speech and language skills
  • Feeding
  • Sleep
  • Preschool and school readiness
  • Reading, writing and math achievement
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity issues
  • Executive functioning and self-regulation
  • Behavioral, emotional or social interactions at home or school

ANCHOR Program step-by-step process

  • Step 1: Initial visit & comprehensive evaluation
    • During the initial visit you’ll meet our multidisciplinary team who will assess your infant or child for any neurodevelopmental and psychosocial concerns.
  • Step 2: Same day feedback & recommendations
    • At the end of your infant or child’s initial visit (Step 1), our team will review the results of their assessment with you and offer individualized recommendations and referrals to address any identified concerns.
  • Step 3: School and community support
    • For children enrolled in school or receiving services through their school district, our education advocate will partner with you to share the results of your child’s evaluation with their school. Sharing results can help your child access the educational support they need.
  • Step 4: Long-term follow-up
    • As your child grows, the ANCHOR Program will provide regular monitoring and updated recommendations on how to best optimize their development.
Alcohol Exposure Program

Alcohol Exposure Program

Specialized care and evaluations for your child

The Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol Clinic (PEAC) provides comprehensive evaluations for children with known prenatal alcohol exposure who may have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

When questions arise about your child’s learning, behavior, growth or physical development, our team can help give you answers. We connect your family with the therapies, school support, and resources you need.

Areas of PEAC evaluation and support include:

  • Growth and physical traits: Physical development and medical history review.
  • Motor and daily skills: Fine and gross motor abilities, self-care and daily functioning.
  • Learning and neurodevelopment: Cognitive strengths, learning styles and executive functioning.
  • Behavior and focus: Attention, emotional regulation and social interaction.
  • Educational needs: Tailored support, accommodations and school advocacy.

ANCHOR Program step-by-step process

  • Step 1: Virtual intake (Ages 3½+)
    • A virtual visit with our neuropsychologist to gather your child’s medical, developmental and educational history before coming to the clinic.
  • Step 2: In-person multidisciplinary evaluation
    • An on-site appointment where your child meets with our specialist team.
  • Step 3: Virtual feedback & next steps
    • A virtual meeting to review evaluation findings, discuss any applicable diagnoses, answer your questions and guide you toward personalized recommendations and support services.
Our Team

Our Team

Cardiology ANCHOR Program 

NICU ANCHOR Program

  • Carrie Cuffman, MD
  • Naomi Diaz Hunter, PT, DPT
  • Lisa Seely, MS, PT, NTMTC
  • Lisa Leonard, MA, CCC-SLP
  • Emily Pateras, MS, CCC-SLP
  • Barbara Gareau, LISW-S, Social Worker
  • Becca Cain, MEd, Educational Advocate
  • Jenna Kolschetzky, RN, Clinical Program Manager

Fetal Alcohol Exposure ANCHOR Program

Appointments

Appointments

To schedule an appointment with the ANCHOR Program, call 216.695.8839.