In an exciting development for the autism therapy industry, Positive Development, a McLean, Virginia-based provider specializing in autism therapy and developmental care, has secured a substantial $10 million in funding. This investment round, led by Healthworx, a division of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Carefirst Inc., marks a significant step forward for the company, enabling it to expand its services and enhance its innovative care models for individuals on the autism spectrum. This move is a direct result of the growing interest in autism therapy funding and investment aimed at improving access to high-quality care.
Founded in 2020, Positive Development has quickly established itself as a leader in providing specialized care to individuals with autism. With a presence across 23 locations in seven states and the District of Columbia, the company’s mission is to deliver high-quality, personalized therapy to meet the diverse needs of its patients. The recent funding will allow Positive Development to expand its alternative payment model arrangements with payers, improving access to care for more families and individuals in need of autism therapy funding.
Healthworx Investment: A Strategic Move to Address Gaps in Autism Care
The $10 million funding round, which is part of a broader $12 million round that Positive Development is seeking, was led by Healthworx, the venture capital arm of Carefirst Inc. Healthworx focuses on identifying and investing in ventures that address critical gaps in healthcare, aiming to improve outcomes and expand access to care. Positive Development, with its innovative approach to autism therapy, stood out as an ideal candidate for this partnership. The investment marks Healthworx’s largest to-date, signaling strong confidence in the company’s potential to scale its impact and revolutionize autism care. This aligns with the growing demand for autism therapy funding to support comprehensive care models.
Oleg Tarkovsky, Behavioral Health Director at Carefirst, expressed his confidence in Positive Development’s model, stating, “Positive Development’s unique model delivers quality care while increasing clinical capacity and reducing total program costs.” Tarkovsky’s statement highlights the dual focus of Positive Development’s approach: delivering top-tier care while also reducing the financial burden on families, payers, and employers. As autism-related spending continues to rise, finding ways to improve outcomes while controlling costs is a critical challenge that Positive Development is well-equipped to address through strategic autism therapy funding.
A Unique Model Focused on Comprehensive, Personalized Care
What sets Positive Development apart from other autism therapy providers is its commitment to a clinical model known as Developmental Care. This approach integrates care outcome tracking technology with a highly personalized treatment plan, delivered by a “transdisciplinary” care team. These teams include a variety of specialists who collaborate closely to design and implement a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to each individual’s needs.
The Developmental Care model ensures that no two treatment plans are identical. Each patient’s care is customized based on their unique strengths and challenges, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their development. Direct care totals six hours per week, offering intensive, hands-on support designed to drive meaningful progress. This personalized care model has garnered attention for its ability to improve clinical outcomes and better meet the diverse needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. With increasing interest in autism therapy funding, Positive Development’s approach is well-positioned to attract further support.
Mike Suiters, co-founder and CEO of Positive Development, emphasized the importance of catering to the diverse needs of individuals with autism, saying, “The autism spectrum is by definition incredibly diverse, and members deserve options that celebrate their strengths and support their unique needs.” Suiters added, “With this substantial Healthworx investment and partnership with one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit healthcare organizations, we’re poised to address these challenges with better solutions.” This shift towards innovation in autism therapy funding represents a critical step forward in addressing the gaps in autism care.
Growing Demand for Autism Care
The demand for autism services has been growing rapidly in recent years, with autism-related spending increasing by 50% over the past five years. Families and individuals affected by autism are seeking more personalized, high-quality care that not only meets their needs but also reduces the financial burden of treatment. This rising demand presents both challenges and opportunities for providers in the autism therapy space. As more organizations, including payers and employers, look to allocate autism therapy funding more efficiently, Positive Development’s approach is becoming increasingly valuable.
Historically, the venture capital landscape in autism therapy has favored tech-focused, less-intensive therapy solutions. Companies like Exressable, a digital speech therapy provider, and EarliTec Diagnostics, which develops diagnostic tools for autism, have raised millions in funding to push the boundaries of technology in autism care. However, Positive Development’s commitment to delivering high-touch, comprehensive, and personalized care places it in a unique position to address the evolving needs of the autism community. While digital tools have their place, the company’s hands-on, individualized approach stands out as a valuable alternative to the tech-centric models that have dominated the industry. As demand for more intensive therapies grows, so does the need for more strategic autism therapy funding.
Healthworx and Carefirst: A Partnership for Innovation
The partnership between Positive Development and Healthworx underscores a broader shift in healthcare toward value-based care models. Healthworx, which invests in innovative healthcare ventures, identified Positive Development as a leader in the autism care space. This partnership is rooted in a shared vision of improving care delivery, expanding access, and reducing the financial strain associated with autism therapy. As the landscape for autism therapy funding continues to evolve, Healthworx’s investment ensures that Positive Development is well-positioned to lead the way in transforming autism care.
Carefirst Behavioral Health Director Oleg Tarkovsky’s support for the initiative is an endorsement of Positive Development’s model, which seeks to balance the delivery of high-quality, personalized care with cost management. By expanding its alternative payment model arrangements, Positive Development will be able to create more sustainable solutions for families, payers, and employers. This shift is crucial as the autism care landscape continues to evolve and demand for services continues to rise. Autism therapy funding will play an integral role in supporting these efforts.
The Future of Autism Care: Positive Development’s Growth and Expansion
With the $10 million funding round and a subsequent $12 million round on the horizon, Positive Development is poised for significant growth. The company plans to use the investment to expand its services across the United States, increasing its footprint and reaching more individuals in need of specialized autism therapy. The funding will also support the company’s efforts to scale its Developmental Care model, ensuring that more families can access the high-quality, personalized care that has become Positive Development’s hallmark.
As the company expands, it will continue to focus on enhancing clinical outcomes, increasing care capacity, and reducing costs—goals that align with the broader mission of improving care for individuals with autism and their families. The infusion of autism therapy funding into the system will enable Positive Development to further its impact on the autism care space.
A Bright Future for Autism Care
Positive Development’s innovative approach, coupled with its strategic partnership with Healthworx and Carefirst, sets the stage for significant advancements in autism care. The company’s focus on comprehensive, personalized therapy, combined with its ability to address cost concerns, positions it as a leader in the field. As it continues to scale its operations and expand its services, Positive Development is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of autism therapy across the nation.
With the backing of Healthworx and a growing network of investors, Positive Development is well-equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry. As autism-related spending continues to rise, the need for cost-effective, high-quality care has never been more urgent. Positive Development’s unique model, supported by substantial investments and autism therapy funding, holds the promise of transforming the landscape of autism care and improving the lives of individuals and families affected by autism for years to come.
