For many families, leaving the NICU is a moment of relief and hope — but it is not necessarily the end of the journey. Children born prematurely or who required intensive neonatal care often continue to experience the effects of their early beginnings well into childhood, adolescence, and sometimes adulthood.
While many NICU graduates grow and thrive, research shows a higher likelihood of ongoing developmental, learning and behavioral challenges that may not become fully visible until school age or beyond.
The part no one talks about...
THE NICU & BEYOND PROGRAM
Studies show that around 12% of preterm children may be diagnosed with a learning disability and nearly three times as many require special educational support. For example, ADHD is significantly higher in preterm graduates, and developmental vulnerabilities can affect language, cognition and social readiness.
MASG INC recognizes the beyond aspect of the NICU and takes heart in generating a program to assist with development and learning.
NICU and Beyond is a program designed to support behavioral and health development across three key phases:
1. Foundational Phase – Early childhood development.
2. Academic Phase – School-age learning support.
3. Teens & Adolescents Phase – Continued growth and guidance.
Early developmental and educational support plays a vital role in a child’s life. Through collaboration in therapy, tutoring, assistive technology, and access to state-supported 504 learning plans, parents and children gain a strong network of support that extends far beyond the NICU.
Ongoing Unrealized Challenges
Difficulties with attention, learning, reading, emotional regualtion and academic performance are more common amount children who spent time in the NICU.