The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats premature and high-risk infants.  Advances in neonatal intensive care have contributed to the survival of an increasing number of premature infants. These infants are at high risk for developing neurodevelopmental complications. Physical and occupational therapists are increasingly involved in the early treatment of these infants in an effort to minimize future handicaps.

A therapist's role in the NICU includes assessment and treatment of sensory/motor systems, tone, oral-motor mechanisms, neurobehavior status, reflex functioning, and parent-infant interaction. The therapist's ultimate goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide the development of their infants by providing training in proper positioning, nippling, and specific motor activities that influence normalcy in posture and movement.