Across the nation, providers are making major strides in improving access to autism care. From North Carolina to California and the Midwest, new centers are opening to serve more families and meet the growing demand for high-quality autism services. This wave of development reflects a broader trend of autism support services growth, helping families find the care they need closer to home.
Hopebridge Expands in North Carolina
Indianapolis-based Hopebridge is deepening its roots in North Carolina with the opening of two new autism centers in Wilmington and Winston-Salem. These additions will bring Hopebridge’s total number of centers in the state to 10. Alongside creating more than 100 jobs, the centers will offer a comprehensive range of services, including diagnostic evaluations, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, feeding and swallowing therapy, and family guidance. This is a strong example of autism support services growth, as more families in underserved areas gain access to essential developmental care.
Operating over 100 locations across 12 states—including Alabama, Arizona, and Florida—Hopebridge continues to lead the charge in making autism therapy more accessible across the U.S.
ABS Kids Opens New Centers in California and Tennessee
ABS Kids is also playing a significant role in autism support services growth. The provider is opening new centers in Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tennessee, and Chula Vista, California. In Tennessee, one facility will serve as a full ABA therapy center, while the other will function as a behavioral technician training center. The Chula Vista location marks the fourth ABS Kids facility in the San Diego metro area.
ABS Kids focuses on personalized ABA services, diagnostic assessments, and treatment planning. “Providing access to this care is part of our vision,” said Regional Vice President Francisco Chavez. “We are striving to meet the increasing need in California. Like other locations, this new center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, resources and experts to deliver personalized and compassionate care to each child.” This dedication to individualized, high-quality treatment is fueling autism support services growth in every region they serve.
Stride Autism Centers Reaches South Dakota
Furthering the momentum of autism support services growth in the Midwest, Stride Autism Centers has launched a new center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The facility will provide one-on-one ABA therapy for children ages 2 to 6 diagnosed with autism.
“With each new center we open, we are committed to filling the critical need for accessible, high-quality autism therapy services,” said Brad Zelinger, Founder and CEO of Stride. The company currently operates in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and now South Dakota. Their focus on serving underserved Midwestern communities is a crucial step forward in nationwide autism support services growth.
Certified Autism Center Designation for New Jersey ED
Beyond new openings, hospitals are stepping up to meet the needs of autistic patients in emergency settings. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center has become the first pediatric emergency department in New Jersey to earn a Certified Autism Center designation. To achieve this, over 80% of its doctors, nurses, and patient-facing staff underwent specialized autism training and certification.
This certification marks an important advancement in autism support services growth, particularly in acute care environments. “Our team and the programs and services we provide within developmental medicine speak to our commitment to an autism-friendly culture and environment,” said Dr. Stephen Percy, chair of pediatrics.
Thompson Center for Autism Plans Major Move
In Missouri, the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment will be relocating to a larger facility at South Providence Medical Park by 2026. This expansion will allow the center to double its capacity and reduce the long waitlist of over 2,000 children awaiting diagnosis.
The relocation underscores the ongoing autism support services growth in academic and clinical settings. As demand rises, institutions are recognizing the need to increase both physical space and clinical resources to accommodate families seeking help.
A Nationwide Push for Better Access
The expansion of autism care across multiple states shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s a private provider like Hopebridge or ABS Kids opening new facilities, a nonprofit like Stride reaching underserved areas, or a hospital earning a specialized designation, every effort contributes to meaningful autism support services growth. These initiatives not only reduce geographic and financial barriers to care but also build a stronger support system for children and families navigating the challenges of autism.
As the landscape of autism care continues to evolve, these developments reflect a shared commitment to accessible, high-quality, and compassionate services. Autism support services growth is more than a trend—it’s a movement to ensure no family is left without the care they need.
