IHC Journal
Welcome to Italian Home for Children's Neurodevelopmental Unit
When Your Child Needs More Than Home or School Can Offer
Some moments as a parent stop you cold. Your child is in crisis, and the systems you've relied on — home, school, your pediatrician — have reached their limit. You need something more. Something specialized. Something that actually understands your child.
That's exactly why Italian Home for Children built the Neurodevelopmental Unit (NDU).
The NDU is Massachusetts' first specialized crisis stabilization program designed specifically for children ages 4 to 14 with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disabilities. It's a short-term program — typically two to four weeks — built around one clear goal: helping your child stabilize and come home.
What makes the NDU different
Most crisis stabilization programs weren't designed with neurodivergent children in mind. The NDU was. With seven dedicated beds, a 1:2 staff-to-child ratio, and 24/7 clinical support, every detail of the program reflects what children with ASD and ID actually need to feel safe, regulated, and ready to grow.
Days at the NDU aren't idle. Children engage in individual therapy, family meetings, movement and wellness activities, communication skills work, behavioral support, arts and crafts, and life skills practice. The structure is intentional — because for many of the children we serve, predictable routine is itself a form of healing.
You stay in it with us
Crisis stabilization isn't just for the child. Families are active partners in the NDU. From the moment your child arrives, we're working alongside you — building toward the transition home, connecting you with the right continuum of care, and making sure the support doesn't end when the stay does.
Who can refer
The NDU accepts referrals from emergency rooms, mobile crisis teams, and inpatient psychiatric facilities. If your child — or a child you serve — needs this level of care, we want to hear from you.
Contact our Intake Department: 📞 857-762-2510 ✉️ [email protected]
Italian Home for Children has been walking alongside Massachusetts families since 1919. The Neurodevelopmental Unit is our newest commitment to making sure every child — no matter how complex their needs — has a path forward.