When The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students (ACES) acquired Thrive Autism Services in mid-2023, it was clear the partnership was rooted in a shared mission: to deliver exceptional, individualized care to those on the autism spectrum. Now, less than a year later, that mission is rapidly expanding, bringing new opportunities for families in need of autism therapy services Arizona—and eventually, the broader western United States.
Since launching in 2020, Thrive Autism Services has been a trusted name for in-home applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in the East Valley of Phoenix. Focused on clients from 18 months old into adulthood, Thrive has always maintained a commitment to personalized, flexible care. The organization deliberately kept its service area small to ensure that every family received the attention and support they deserved.
But demand has grown. And with it, so has Thrive.
From Local Roots to Regional Reach
“We anticipate opening 10 or 15 autism clinics across Arizona, Colorado and other western states over the next several years,” said Martin Favis, president and CEO of ACES, in a recent interview with Autism Business News.
The first of these new clinics opened on May 6, a significant milestone in Thrive’s transition from in-home only to hybrid and center-based models. This brick-and-mortar location serves children ages 18 months to 10 years and operates similarly to a structured day care, with a curriculum designed to teach academic readiness, self-care, communication, and socialization skills.
For families searching for autism therapy services Arizona, this clinic marks a turning point: a place where children can access consistent, high-quality ABA programming in a nurturing, age-appropriate environment.
Meeting a Need That’s Long Been Overlooked
Madison Williams, director of autism services for Thrive and former special education teacher at ACES, has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the new clinic. One of her major initiatives is the creation of pre-teen social groups, which will be divided by age and ability level.
“It’s something that almost every parent of pre-teens has asked me for,” Williams said. “We really wanted to market it to what people actually needed—opportunities to grow alongside others with similar communication styles, interests, and challenges.”
This program, unique in the East Valley, fills a critical gap in autism therapy services Arizona. For older children who often age out of early intervention services, these social groups offer a supportive space to develop interpersonal skills and make lasting connections.
A New Standard in Individualized Care
Another standout aspect of Thrive’s model is its flexibility. Unlike many providers that require families to commit to rigid hour blocks (e.g., 20 or 40 hours per week), Thrive tailors therapy hours based on the individual needs of the child—after completing a comprehensive assessment by board-certified staff.
“We are catering it to the client,” Williams explained. “We recommend hours that are clinically appropriate, and as long as the family can commit to at least 80% of those hours, we move forward with them.”
This level of customization is a game-changer for autism therapy services Arizona, particularly for families juggling complex schedules, work commitments, and the needs of multiple children.
Quality Over Quantity in Staff Training
Thrive is also setting new standards for staff preparation. While the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) sets minimum training requirements for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Thrive goes further.
All new hires undergo an extended 10-day training period, followed by live Q&A sessions, role-playing, and shadowing opportunities. Before they’re approved to work independently, each staff member must pass a detailed skills checklist—ensuring they’re not just qualified on paper, but genuinely capable in practice.
“We make sure that they can do every single skill on that task analysis before we send them to take their exam,” Williams said.
This dedication to excellence underscores Thrive’s reputation for providing top-tier autism therapy services Arizona.
Growing with the Families They Serve
Rather than over-hiring in anticipation of future clients—or worse, under-hiring and creating long waitlists—Thrive is taking a responsive approach. “We’re hiring people as we’re getting clients,” Williams noted. “That way, those kiddos don’t have to sit on a wait list for three to five months.”
Currently, Thrive employs 15 staff in its clinic and five in its in-home program. Within the next four months, Williams expects the team to grow to about 35 RBTs, four BCBAs, and a clinical director.
This growth is strategic, deliberate, and most importantly, grounded in a deep understanding of the community’s needs for autism therapy services Arizona.
Tackling the Challenges of Diagnosis and Access
Despite the expansion, there are still challenges. One of the biggest is finding qualified BCBAs, a shortage that stretches across the country. To address this, Thrive offers supervision for RBTs currently enrolled in their master’s programs—a move designed to build a pipeline of future clinicians from within.
Another challenge is funding for children who don’t yet have an official autism diagnosis. Without it, many families are left navigating long waitlists or being forced to pay out of pocket. Thrive is actively seeking to partner with or employ a diagnostic provider, helping families close this gap and gain access to needed services more quickly.
“Our hands are tied unless families are willing to go the private pay route,” Williams explained, “and that’s just not feasible for many of them.”
Flexible Funding Options for Families
Thrive works with all major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Access Medicaid. The company is also open to single-case agreements, even with insurers they’re not currently contracted with.
“If we’re not in-network, we’ll still reach out and try to get authorization,” Williams said. “We’ve had good success with that so far.”
By offering multiple funding pathways, Thrive ensures that autism therapy services Arizona are more accessible to families from all walks of life.
Backed by a Legacy of Excellence
ACES, Thrive’s parent organization, has been in the education and behavioral health field for nearly 30 years. It currently serves 1,200 students and employs 600 staff across its programs.
Now, with a firm foothold in ABA services and an ambitious growth plan, ACES and Thrive are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on the autism community.
“We’re progressing and growing by doing the right thing,” Favis said. “It’s been our plan all along to get to this point. Here we are now.”
As Thrive continues its journey, one thing remains constant: a commitment to compassionate, individualized care that meets families where they are. Whether in the comfort of their homes or inside a new, vibrant clinic, families can count on Thrive for some of the most innovative and effective autism therapy services Arizona has to offer.
