Jonathan Wright’s journey to founding Opya, an organization dedicated to improving outcomes for children diagnosed with autism, is deeply intertwined with his childhood and the work of his mother, an adolescent psychiatrist. Throughout her life, Jonathan’s mother was steadfast in her mission to improve the lives of young children, particularly those battling severe mental illnesses. She devoted her career to understanding the complex world of child psychiatry and developing strategies for treatment that would lead to better outcomes for these vulnerable children. Her lifelong work deeply inspired Jonathan, and in 2015, he took a step that would not only honor her legacy but also address a critical need in the autism care space.
In this blog post, we explore Jonathan Wright’s decision to found Opya, an organization that leverages multidisciplinary and tech-forward approaches to autism therapy, and how Opya’s innovative model is changing the landscape of autism care in California.
A Legacy of Compassionate Care
Jonathan Wright’s mother, a dedicated adolescent psychiatrist, worked tirelessly to understand and treat children with severe mental illnesses. Her compassion and commitment to improving clinical outcomes for her young patients left a lasting impact on Jonathan, shaping his worldview and professional aspirations.
As an adolescent psychiatrist, his mother was well aware of the importance of early intervention in treating mental health issues in children. Her work, which often focused on children with complex and severe mental illnesses, highlighted the critical role that early, targeted intervention plays in improving a child’s ability to succeed in the long term.
It was this dedication to helping children, particularly those with special needs, that served as a profound inspiration for Jonathan as he looked to solve a different, but equally urgent, problem: autism care.
The Birth of Opya
Opya was founded in 2015 by Jonathan Wright with the goal of addressing the pressing need for quality, accessible autism therapy for young children. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States, and the number of diagnoses continues to rise each year. Early intervention is crucial for children with autism, as it has been shown to significantly improve long-term outcomes, including communication, social skills, and cognitive development. However, access to early, effective autism therapy is often limited due to factors like geographic location, financial constraints, and the lack of available resources.
Jonathan recognized that, like his mother’s work in adolescent psychiatry, the most impactful solutions for children with autism would involve early, personalized, and evidence-based approaches. He founded Opya with the mission of filling the gap in autism care and improving access to high-quality services that would make a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families.
With Opya, Jonathan sought to create an organization that would bring together the best aspects of multidisciplinary care, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on early intervention. His goal was not just to provide autism therapy, but to revolutionize the way it was delivered.
Opya’s Vision: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Autism Therapy
Opya’s approach to autism therapy stands apart from many traditional models due to its interdisciplinary care model. While other providers may focus on one or two areas of therapy, Opya integrates a wide range of services that work in harmony to address the diverse needs of children with autism.
As the company grew, Jonathan brought in a team of professionals who could contribute their expertise to creating a comprehensive, well-rounded treatment plan for each child. These professionals include Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists in the field. Each of these experts plays a vital role in providing therapy in a holistic way that addresses the unique needs of each child.
In addition to providing in-home and community-based therapy, Opya focuses on three guiding principles that help shape its care delivery model:
- Early Intervention: Research has shown that children diagnosed with autism who receive treatment before the age of six experience significantly better outcomes. Opya’s services are specifically designed to target children aged 18 months to six years, a crucial window for early intervention.
- In-Home Care: Many children with autism thrive when therapy is delivered in their natural environment. Opya recognizes the importance of home-based therapy, which is why it provides in-home services tailored to each child’s specific needs. This allows children to receive care in a comfortable and familiar setting.
- Connectivity: Opya emphasizes the importance of communication in ensuring better outcomes. By utilizing technology, the organization fosters a connected care model that allows for seamless communication among clinicians, families, and other professionals involved in the child’s treatment. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that no detail is overlooked.
The Role of Technology in Opya’s Success
One of the hallmarks of Opya’s success is its embrace of technology, which plays a central role in both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. Opya leverages technology to streamline communications, monitor progress, and ensure that families and clinicians have real-time access to important information.
For example, Opya uses a secure, user-friendly platform that allows families to track their child’s progress, schedule appointments, and communicate directly with their therapists. This technology is not only convenient but also supports a collaborative approach to care, where families and clinicians can work together to make adjustments to treatment plans as necessary.
Furthermore, technology helps Opya’s clinicians to implement evidence-based practices more effectively. Data collection and analysis tools allow therapists to monitor a child’s behavior and development in real-time, making it easier to adjust treatment plans as needed and track long-term progress.
Opya’s Expansion Across California
Opya started as a small organization with a singular focus on providing high-quality autism therapy, but it has quickly expanded to multiple locations across California. In the years since its founding, Opya has grown from a single location in San Mateo to offering services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Southern California, and the Central Valley. This growth reflects the growing demand for autism therapy services and Opya’s commitment to making its services accessible to more families.
CEO Alden Romney, who has been with Opya since its early days, explains that the company’s expansion has been guided by a commitment to providing services to a wide range of families. Cost is often a barrier to accessing autism care, and Opya has worked hard to secure in-network contracts with both Medicaid and commercial payers. This helps ensure that families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can access the care their children need.
Romney highlights that Opya’s expansion isn’t just about increasing its footprint—it’s about maintaining the quality of care that has been central to Opya’s mission from the very beginning. The company strives to provide consistent, high-quality services no matter where a child receives treatment.
Addressing the Need for Center-Based Care
In addition to its in-home and community-based services, Opya has recently expanded its offerings to include center-based care. This allows children to receive therapy in a more structured setting, providing additional support and opportunities for social interaction with peers. The addition of center-based care is part of Opya’s ongoing effort to provide a comprehensive range of services that can be customized to meet each child’s unique needs.
Opya’s recent acquisition of the Center for Autism Spectrum Therapy is a significant step in this direction. By bringing this organization under the Opya umbrella, Opya will be able to expand its center-based care offerings and reach even more families across California.
Looking to the Future: Scaling and Continued Innovation
Opya’s journey is just beginning. As the organization continues to scale, its mission remains focused on improving outcomes for children with autism and providing families with the support they need. The company is constantly exploring new ways to innovate in autism care, leveraging the latest research, technology, and clinical practices to provide the best possible treatment.
Romney is optimistic about the future of Opya, noting that the company’s growth is driven by a shared passion for high clinical quality and a commitment to providing an exceptional experience for families.
“We’re looking to continue to help more kids, both organically and through small acquisitions with other providers who match up with our passion for high clinical quality and a great overall experience,” Romney says.
Conclusion
Opya represents a new era in autism care—one that is defined by compassion, innovation, and a commitment to improving clinical outcomes for children. Inspired by Jonathan Wright’s mother’s work in adolescent psychiatry, Opya is changing the way autism therapy is delivered, providing families with the tools they need to ensure their children reach their fullest potential. With its multidisciplinary approach, emphasis on early intervention, and use of cutting-edge technology, Opya is not just meeting the needs of today’s children with autism—it is shaping the future of autism care for generations to come.
