The autism therapy industry is witnessing rapid growth, with several key autism care providers expanding their services to new states, bringing critical early intervention and therapy services closer to families in need. As demand for specialized autism services continues to rise, companies like Verbal Beginnings, ABS Kids, Lighthouse Autism Center, and Able Autism Therapy are not just opening new locations—they’re also offering innovative models of care to reach more children and families across the United States. These expansions reflect a growing recognition of the importance of timely, specialized autism therapy for children at an early age. Let’s dive into the latest developments from some of the leading autism care providers in the field.
Verbal Beginnings Expands into Virginia with New Center in Alexandria
Autism care providers like Verbal Beginnings, based in Columbia, Maryland, are making strategic moves to meet the growing demand for therapy services. Verbal Beginnings is opening a new center in Alexandria, Virginia, marking the company’s first step into offering center-based services in Virginia. This expansion complements the in-home services they’ve been providing across several states, including Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. The new Alexandria center is slated to open in November 2024 and will provide an essential option for parents who have been seeking more flexibility and options for their children’s autism therapy needs.
Diana Wolf, co-founder and co-CEO of Verbal Beginnings, explained the company’s decision to expand into a physical location in the Alexandria area, stating, “After serving so many families through our existing in-home services in Virginia for so long, opening a physical location was a natural way to give parents a center-based option for their children.” This move will allow autism care providers like Verbal Beginnings to offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology (SLP), and occupational therapy (OT) in a center-based setting, providing families with more options and the opportunity to have their children receive therapy in a more structured environment. The new center will accommodate 35 families and will maintain a one-to-one therapist ratio, ensuring personalized and effective care for every child.
Verbal Beginnings’ growth into Virginia is a major step forward for the company, which currently operates six locations in Maryland. Founded in 2011 by Nick Chappell and Diana Wolf, Verbal Beginnings has made a name for itself by providing high-quality autism therapy services that focus on early intervention and tailored care for each child. With this new center, they will be able to further their mission of supporting children and families through evidence-based therapy and services that make a real difference in the lives of those impacted by autism.
ABS Kids Continues Expanding Its Nationwide Presence
Autism care providers such as ABS Kids are also experiencing significant growth. ABS Kids has opened its 11th new center in 2024 alone, adding to the six locations it already operates in Southern California. This expansion is a direct response to the growing demand for autism therapy in areas like San Diego, where the company recently opened a center in the Mira Mesa neighborhood. ABS Kids operates in several states, including California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah, and its rapid growth highlights the increasing need for effective autism therapy services across the U.S.
Francisco Chavez, ABS Kids’ California Regional Vice President, emphasized the pressing need for such services, saying, “The reality in our region is that children here are in need of proven, effective autism therapy services.” With the backing of investment firms like Petra Capital Partners and Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital, ABS Kids is poised to continue expanding at a significant pace, already nearly matching the growth they saw in 2023 when they opened 13 new centers.
ABS Kids is known for its focus on high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is widely regarded as one of the most effective treatments for autism. As one of the leading autism care providers, the company’s success is largely attributed to its dedication to providing specialized, individualized care for each child, helping to improve communication, social skills, and overall quality of life for children with autism.
Lighthouse Autism Center Expands Rapidly with New Clinic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Lighthouse Autism Center, based in Mishawaka, Indiana, has been another standout among autism care providers, rapidly expanding its operations in recent years. The company has just announced the opening of its sixth clinic in Iowa, located in Cedar Rapids, a city in the central-eastern part of the state. This new clinic will be part of Lighthouse Autism Center’s ongoing efforts to increase its presence and provide much-needed services to families across the Midwest. The center is set to open before the end of the year and will employ 35 staff members to serve 25 families, offering a range of services including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, autism diagnostic testing, virtual parent training, and pre-academic learning.
Founded in 2012, Lighthouse Autism Center has grown significantly over the years, with 38 locations across multiple states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, and North Carolina. This rapid expansion has been fueled by the company’s commitment to providing high-quality therapy and early intervention services to children with autism. Lighthouse Autism Center has also introduced its Fusion Therapy program, which pairs speech-language pathologists with board-certified behavior analysts to provide a comprehensive approach to therapy that maximizes the benefits of both disciplines.
As one of the leading autism care providers, Lighthouse Autism Center is continuing to make waves in the industry with its innovative approach to therapy and its expanding reach. With support from Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm, the company has been able to significantly scale its operations and offer more families access to top-tier autism care.
Able Autism Therapy Pioneers Franchise Model to Expand Reach
Able Autism Therapy, a relatively new player in the autism therapy industry, has announced a significant milestone in its expansion plans: the company has signed its first franchise partner. Able Autism Therapy, which was founded in August 2021 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia, has partnered with Barbara Rodriguez and Mario Martinez to open a new location in Grayson, Georgia, a town located northeast of Atlanta. This partnership marks the beginning of Able Autism Therapy’s franchise journey, which it hopes will allow the company to extend its reach to more families in need of autism therapy services.
Able Autism Therapy’s founder, Demirci, expressed his excitement about the new franchise partnership, saying, “We are passionate about the autism community and are excited to share our services with more and more areas through our franchise model.” The franchise model represents a unique opportunity for autism care providers like Able Autism Therapy to scale their services while maintaining the high standards of care the company is known for. The company currently operates two locations in Georgia and one in Tennessee, and its goal is to sell 50 franchises within the next five years.
The franchise model has become an increasingly popular option for autism care providers, offering a pathway for growth without the financial burden of building new locations from the ground up. This trend is also seen in other sectors of behavioral health, including mental health and therapy services. For example, companies like Success on the Spectrum and Ellie Mental Health have successfully used the franchise model to expand their reach and impact.
Conclusion: A Growing Landscape of Autism Therapy Providers
As autism care providers like Verbal Beginnings, ABS Kids, Lighthouse Autism Center, and Able Autism Therapy expand their services into new regions, families across the United States are gaining access to more opportunities for early intervention and specialized care. With center-based options, in-home services, and innovative franchise models, these companies are helping to fill the growing need for autism therapy services in underserved areas. As the industry continues to expand, it is clear that access to high-quality, effective therapy is essential for supporting children with autism and ensuring they receive the care and resources they need to thrive.
