Caring for individuals with autism has traditionally focused on specific aspects of their needs, often leaving other areas unaddressed. This one-dimensional approach fails to consider the entirety of the person, including their health, mental well-being, and social needs. However, a growing number of behavioral health organizations are realizing the need for a more comprehensive, whole-person care model. These models take a more integrated approach, providing a range of services that address not only the clinical needs but also the emotional, social, and even financial well-being of those with autism.
This shift toward a holistic approach is a reflection of the understanding that people with autism are not defined by a single condition or symptom. According to Patrick Maynard, CEO of I Am Boundless, a nonprofit organization based in Worthington, Ohio, focusing on just one service is a disservice to the individual. “It’s a disservice if we’re only going to do one line of service; we need to do all of them,” Maynard said at the Behavioral Health Business INVEST 2024 conference. I Am Boundless, one of Ohio’s largest nonprofit social services providers, has adopted this philosophy by offering a broad range of services, including autism therapy, integrated behavioral health, psychiatry, housing support, primary care, dentistry, and pharmacy services. This expansion of offerings allows the organization to address the full spectrum of needs faced by those with autism, ensuring that care is comprehensive and sustainable. This approach, known as holistic autism treatment, helps individuals thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Maynard’s approach is rooted in a strategic goal: financial sustainability. The organization has faced challenges, such as low reimbursement rates for autism services from the Ohio Medicaid program. However, by diversifying its services and building partnerships with various government entities and managed care organizations, I Am Boundless has been able to create a network of services that supports the business’s sustainability while also benefiting individuals with autism. This strategy not only addresses the clinical needs of the individuals they serve but also supports their families and the larger healthcare ecosystem.
The Business Case for Whole-Person Care Models
The concept of adding diverse services isn’t merely about expanding offerings for the sake of variety—it’s about deepening the organization’s ability to specialize in and provide high-quality care for individuals with autism. This is particularly important as autism often co-occurs with other conditions, such as mental health disorders, making it essential to take a more multifaceted approach to treatment. By integrating services, organizations like I Am Boundless and Cortica, a multi-specialty autism therapy provider based in San Diego, are able to offer a more comprehensive, specialized model of care.
Cortica is an example of how integrating services can lead to a more robust business model. The organization combines autism therapy with developmental therapies such as speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy, alongside medical services like developmental pediatrics and gastroenterology. This holistic autism treatment approach has proven to be highly successful, both clinically and financially. Cortica’s model has attracted significant investment, raising $115 million across two rounds in 2023, and it has been able to implement alternative payment models based on value-based care arrangements. These models not only improve the patient experience but also enable payers to see the long-term value of integrated care, thus making it a more sustainable option for both providers and those receiving care.
The benefits of these all-encompassing care models extend beyond the clinical aspects of treatment. They also address the challenges faced by families and clinicians. For instance, autism has a high rate of co-occurrence with psychiatric conditions like eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These conditions can complicate treatment, as individuals with autism often find it difficult to access psychiatric services due to their unique needs. Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, the founder and chief medical officer of Galen Hope and CEO of Within Health, emphasizes that good autism care is intrinsically linked to good clinical care. She advocates for a model that integrates care in a way that works for patients and doesn’t simply fit them into a preconceived mold.
At the core of Dr. Oliver-Pyatt’s philosophy is the biopsychosocial model of care, which takes into account the biological, psychological, and social needs of a patient. This holistic autism treatment approach is especially vital when treating individuals with autism, who may face challenges in all of these areas. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt points out that good care for individuals with autism requires a level of attentiveness and flexibility that traditional models may not provide. “Good care really is attuned care: It’s about looking at the person in front of you and what they need,” she said.
The Role of Technology in Whole-Person Care
For organizations adopting a holistic autism treatment model, technology plays a key role in facilitating the delivery of services. For Within Health, a virtual treatment platform for eating disorders, technology is used to extend the reach of its multidisciplinary team, allowing for more immediate support when needed and helping gather valuable patient data. Within Health’s use of remote patient monitoring and virtual “living rooms” where patients can engage with their team outside of traditional office hours is a prime example of how technology can enhance care. These tools provide more flexibility and responsiveness, which is particularly important for individuals with autism who may require constant attention or a more personalized approach to their care.
Dr. Oliver-Pyatt emphasizes that without technology, it would be difficult to manage the level of acuity required for autism patients who also face mental health conditions. “Without the app, we can’t extend our reach and work with this type of acuity,” she said. In fact, technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of holistic autism treatment models, offering support to both patients and healthcare providers.
Conclusion: The Future of Autism Care
The shift toward whole-person care in autism treatment is an important development that addresses not only the clinical needs of individuals but also their broader well-being. By integrating a diverse array of services and using technology to enhance care, organizations like I Am Boundless, Cortica, and Within Health are setting a new standard for autism care. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that individuals with autism receive the attention they deserve, while also improving the sustainability and effectiveness of the organizations providing care. As more providers embrace this model, it’s likely that the future of autism treatment will be characterized by a more holistic, individualized approach that prioritizes the whole person—biologically, psychologically, and socially.
