Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a complex array of challenges that require more than a one-dimensional treatment approach. Cortica Inc., a San Diego-based autism care provider, is pioneering a new integrated autism care model designed to bring together behavioral, neurological, and developmental therapies under one roof. This approach aims to deliver comprehensive, science-backed care tailored to the whole child and family, transforming the way autism care is delivered across the United States.
From Fragmented Services to a True Integrated Autism Care Model
Families navigating autism care often encounter a fragmented system, bouncing between multiple specialists such as pediatric neurologists, ABA therapists, speech therapists, and other providers. This fragmentation can result in duplicated efforts, poor communication, and increased stress on families who must coordinate their child’s care. Cortica’s integrated autism care model directly addresses these issues by consolidating these services into a unified treatment plan under one roof.
By offering a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach, the integrated autism care model reduces the burden on families, streamlines communication among care providers, and ensures that all aspects of a child’s development and health are addressed in harmony. Neil Hattangadi, Cortica’s co-founder and CEO, explains that the model was designed to solve the problem parents face when they are forced to “bounce” between multiple disconnected providers.
Dr. Suzanne Goh, Cortica’s chief medical officer and a pediatric neurologist with board certification in behavioral analysis, was instrumental in developing the integrated autism care model. Drawing on her experience in academic medical centers, she envisioned a care setting where biological and behavioral aspects of autism could be treated simultaneously, resulting in more comprehensive and effective care.
Rethinking ABA Within the Integrated Autism Care Model
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy has long been considered the cornerstone of autism treatment. However, many traditional programs require children to undergo 25 to 40 hours of ABA weekly, which can be overwhelming for both children and families. Cortica’s integrated autism care model takes a more nuanced and targeted approach to ABA therapy.
On average, Cortica provides about 9.2 hours of ABA services per week. This is significantly less than what is typical in many care settings but is part of a larger, holistic treatment strategy. Cortica’s recent research, presented at prestigious neurology conferences, indicates that children receiving care under this integrated model show better outcomes on standardized assessments compared to traditional, ABA-heavy models. As Hattangadi explains, “You don’t need ABA to solve all of a child’s problems.”
By blending ABA with medical diagnostics and therapies focusing on neurological, developmental, and physical health, the integrated autism care model provides tailored interventions that better meet each child’s unique needs, improving overall developmental trajectories.
A Multidisciplinary Team at the Heart of the Integrated Autism Care Model
A defining feature of Cortica’s integrated autism services model is its comprehensive team of specialists working collaboratively to support each child’s development. Services include neurology, developmental pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, genetic counseling, gastroenterology, nutrition, ABA therapy, family counseling, and care navigation.
This multidisciplinary team approach ensures that every facet of the child’s health is evaluated and treated, recognizing that autism is a complex condition with behavioral, neurological, genetic, and physiological components. Families benefit from having coordinated care plans where specialists communicate regularly and adjust treatments based on ongoing data and observations.
This comprehensive, multidisciplinary model closely mirrors the care approach found in leading academic medical centers, but with improvements aimed at streamlining coordination and reducing wait times.
Advancing Toward Value-Based Care with the Integrated Autism Care Model
Currently, Cortica operates primarily under fee-for-service reimbursement models, which often incentivize high volumes of ABA therapy regardless of clinical outcomes. This payment structure creates challenges for Cortica, as their integrated autism care emphasizes quality and effectiveness over sheer quantity of services.
Despite these hurdles, Cortica is committed to transitioning toward value-based care arrangements, where providers are rewarded for delivering better health outcomes while controlling costs. The integrated autism care model is ideally suited for this shift because it aims to improve functional results for children and reduce unnecessary or redundant services.
By demonstrating through ongoing research that their model produces superior clinical outcomes and better family satisfaction, Cortica hopes to convince insurers and payers to support integrated, value-based autism care. Achieving this would represent a significant advance in making comprehensive, effective autism care widely accessible.
Innovation and Investment Fueling the Integrated Autism Services Model
Substantial financial investments have enabled Cortica to build proprietary electronic health records (EHR) and sophisticated data tracking systems that support outcome measurement and continuous improvement of the integrated autism services model. These technology tools are essential for managing complex care plans and ensuring all providers have real-time access to relevant patient information.
Cortica’s $60 million Series C funding round in 2021, led by Longitude Capital, provided critical resources for growth and innovation. Additional investment from the Autism Impact Fund in 2022 has strengthened Cortica’s role as a hub for autism innovation.
Beyond direct care, Cortica collaborates with portfolio companies from the Autism Impact Fund to pilot and validate cutting-edge autism-related technologies. These include biotech companies focused on gut microbiome therapies, molecular biomarker diagnostics, and virtual reality interventions.
Neil Hattangadi highlights Cortica’s unique role in the autism space: “We are an engine or point of care solution where all these other technologies can come to be studied and that data is used for FDA approval. Once approved, we are the same network that can then make this available to 8,000 families a year based on the clients that we serve around the country.”
Expanding the Reach of the Integrated Autism Care Model
Currently, Cortica operates 15 centers across five states and continues to grow. Each center provides families with access to the integrated autism services model, helping to close gaps in care and deliver more personalized, effective treatment.
As Cortica’s footprint expands, so does its potential impact — demonstrating that a truly integrated approach to autism care can improve outcomes, reduce costs, and provide families with a more manageable and supportive experience.
Cortica Inc.’s integrated autism services model represents a transformative shift in how autism care is delivered. By combining multidisciplinary expertise, a commitment to science and outcomes, and a compassionate, family-centered approach, Cortica is setting a new standard for autism treatment in the United States. Their continued growth and innovation promise to make this holistic care model accessible to thousands of families seeking better pathways to hope and development.
