The current standard of care in the NICU develops higher rates of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) including Autism in premature babies.

Compared to the in-utero environment, the artificial NICU environment is closely associated with SPD as there are various sounds, lights, and touches to a preterm infant during their prime stages of development. Preterm infants, who are already at high risk of developmental disorders, are placed in environments and exposed to lights that suppress their melatonin and noises that violate recommended noise levels according to studies performed in the NICU. There are many improvements that can be made in a NICU that can drastically decrease the chances of preterm infants developing disorders that will affect their participation in everyday activities and their quality of life. Sounds that come from the incubator, procedures, and human-related factors can be enough to damage the cells of a baby's ear.

Bringing attention to the effects that many traditional NICU’s have on an infant's health and developing a NICU closely related to the in-utero environment with humanized care is crucial for a significant increase in an infant’s health. Research regarding the potential and lifelong effects that medical stressors have on a newborn’s health as well as numerous interventions and accommodations that end up negatively impacting the life of an infant has empowered us to present an alternative standard of care for NICUs globally that reduces rates of preterm babies developing these disorders.