Over the past several years, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers has been at the forefront of the growth of autism therapy centers in the United States. Despite significant challenges facing the behavioral health sector—such as over half of organizations closing programs during the COVID-19 pandemic—Hopebridge has maintained an ambitious expansion strategy that continues full steam ahead in 2022.
Hopebridge CEO Dennis May told Behavioral Health Business, “This has been something that the organization has had a consistent track record of. This year will certainly be one of our larger years.” Founded in 2005 in Indianapolis, Hopebridge specializes in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), alongside occupational, speech, and feeding therapies. The center serves children ranging from 18 months to 12 years old, with services covered by commercial insurance and Medicaid.
At the end of 2017, Hopebridge operated just 14 centers. By mid-2019, that number nearly tripled to 40. As the pandemic took hold in early 2020, Hopebridge had around 50 facilities with many more planned. Today, the company boasts over 100 locations across 12 states and has announced plans to open 40 additional clinics this year, exemplifying the rapid growth of autism therapy centers in response to increasing demand.
Rising Demand Drives Growth of Autism Therapy Centers
The driving force behind this growth of autism therapy centers is the rising number of ASD diagnoses, now estimated at 1 in 44 American children. Unlike many behavioral health providers who shifted primarily to telehealth, Hopebridge maintains that in-person therapy is essential because children with ASD are often sensitive to visual stimuli. Telehealth is used mainly to support parent training and better understand the home environment, but remains a small part of overall services.
This approach helps address a major gap in autism care. An unpublished University of Pennsylvania study of over 900 caregivers found that 1 in 5 families must relocate to access quality autism therapy. Additionally, wait times for therapy can exceed a year, creating a critical need for more providers.
Cluster Strategies and Market Expansion
Hopebridge’s expansion strategy incorporates cluster models—opening multiple nearby clinics to reduce travel times for families who often attend therapy five days per week. This strategy has been key in markets such as Florida, where Hopebridge is opening up to 30 new facilities as part of its initial entry.
The company is also entering North Carolina this year with plans for up to 15 new locations. May highlighted the strength of healthcare networks in North Carolina and emphasized partnerships with the state to serve underserved communities. Hopebridge also offers fellowship programs to help clinicians become board-certified behavioral analysts, strengthening the local workforce and supporting continued growth of autism therapy centers.
Workforce Growth and Acquisitions Support Expansion
To support its rapid expansion, Hopebridge plans to hire as many as 4,000 new employees in 2022, including therapists, clinicians, and support staff. The growth strategy combines building new de novo facilities with acquisitions, such as the recent purchase of Autism In Motion Clinics (AIM), which operates in multiple states including Arkansas, Alabama, and North Carolina.
May credits Hopebridge’s ability to execute this expansion to strong financial backing from Arsenal Capital Partners, which took a majority stake in 2019. Arsenal’s support has enabled the capital investments necessary for scaling operations and serving underserved communities—key to the ongoing growth of autism therapy centers nationwide.
Commitment to Quality in a Growing Market
As the autism care market grows by an estimated 4% annually, Hopebridge remains focused on maintaining consistent clinical quality and an excellent experience for families and staff alike. May explained, “You have to make sure that as you’re serving more communities and scaling your business, that the clinical quality and experience for both your team members and for the child and family is the same.”
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers exemplify the strong growth of autism therapy centers happening across the country today—an expansion driven by urgent need, thoughtful strategy, and a commitment to quality care that ensures more children with autism receive the therapies they need to thrive.
