In an exciting move for the autism therapy community, ABA Centers of America, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has opened a new center in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, marking a major expansion in the state. The new center, located at 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, spans an impressive 13,000 square feet, offering a range of essential services for individuals with autism. These services include diagnostic assessments, early intervention programs, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, and ABA services for teens. This new facility aims to support a wide range of individuals, from young children to adolescents, providing vital autism support programs designed to help them succeed in daily life.
This new center in Mount Laurel is only the beginning of a much larger plan. ABA Centers of America has announced that it will be opening seven more centers throughout New Jersey in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to providing comprehensive autism services across the region. The company has identified a clear need for such services in New Jersey, particularly in Burlington County. Allison Eckel, the commissioner for Burlington County, expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “We see a lot of people in our county that need autism services, and we are really happy to have ABA Centers of New Jersey here as a community partner.”
The rapid expansion of ABA Centers of America is no coincidence. The company has grown at an extraordinary rate, recently ranking No. 5 on the prestigious 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, with an astounding 32,192% revenue growth. This impressive ranking highlights the company’s ability to scale effectively while maintaining a high level of service delivery. ABA Centers of America provides in-home and school-based therapies in 31 markets, and around 20 of these locations also feature clinics that provide direct therapy services. The company follows a strategic model where they first establish their presence by offering home, community, and school-based services, then add physical centers as they continue to grow and meet the increasing demand for autism therapies. Their expansion is a direct response to the increasing need for accessible autism support programs across the country.
Beyond the expansion in New Jersey, ABA Centers of America continues to prioritize accessibility and community engagement as core elements of their growth. This expansion is vital for families seeking early, targeted interventions for their children, ensuring that more families across the state have access to high-quality care and support. The organization’s commitment to offering effective autism support programs ensures that families and children benefit from tailored therapies designed to promote long-term success and development.
Innovative Programs for Autism and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Needs
As autism-related therapies continue to evolve, Shrub Oak International School in Mohegan Lake, New York, has launched an innovative program designed to address the complex needs of adolescents with autism who also require intensive psychiatric support. This new initiative, called Pines at Shrub Oak, is a significant development in the field of autism care, as it targets a much-underrepresented population — individuals who experience both autism and psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, PTSD, early-onset psychosis, and depression.
The Pines program is unique in that it offers a safe, residential environment where students can not only receive the mental health care they need but also engage in skill-building activities that will help them transition to less-restrictive settings in the future. This dual approach ensures that students have the best chance for emotional and behavioral regulation while also receiving academic and life skills instruction. Services provided at the Pines program are designed to complement existing autism support programs, helping individuals with complex needs succeed in both their personal and academic lives.
Lauren Koffler, the head of admissions at Shrub Oak International School, discussed the importance of this new program, noting, “The Pines was developed to address a gap in the therapeutic landscape for a much-underserved population. Our team is committed to working closely with each student to foster improved emotional and behavioral regulation, ultimately enabling a transition to a less-restrictive environment when appropriate.” The creation of this program highlights the importance of specialized autism support programs for individuals with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, ensuring that they receive the comprehensive care they need.
Autism Learning Partners Expands in Maryland and Nationwide
Autism Learning Partners is another organization making significant strides in autism care, with the recent opening of a new center in Silver Spring, Maryland. This new location marks the fifth for the company in the state of Maryland. Autism Learning Partners, headquartered in Monrovia, California, offers both center-based and in-home autism therapy, and the Silver Spring center will focus specifically on Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI), which targets children up to age five.
The Silver Spring center is designed to integrate a play-based ABA program, helping children develop the skills needed to succeed in preschool, daycare, or kindergarten settings. Rachael Schneider, an executive director at Autism Learning Partners, shared more about the company’s approach, saying, “Our model includes a comprehensive, play-based ABA program for young learners, embedding a proprietary curriculum into a fun and engaging routine that prepares each child for success in a preschool, daycare, or kindergarten setting after graduation.” Autism Learning Partners’ commitment to providing autism support programs that are both engaging and educational ensures that children receive the necessary tools for lifelong success.
Autism Learning Partners has grown significantly since its founding in 1988, and it now operates in 16 states across the U.S., employing around 4,000 staff members, including approximately 250 board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). The company provides a wide range of services beyond ABA therapy, including diagnostic assessments and speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Autism Learning Partners has firmly established itself as a leader in the field, and its expansion into new markets like Maryland is a reflection of the increasing demand for high-quality autism therapies and autism support programs.
Hopebridge Expands Its Reach in Ohio
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, another key player in the field, has also been expanding its services across the U.S. Recently, the company opened a new, state-of-the-art treatment center in Beavercreek, Ohio. The new center features 20 rooms and is designed to offer a multi-disciplinary approach to autism care. It will employ 50 staff members, including registered behavior technicians (RBTs), clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other clinicians.
Hopebridge’s approach integrates multiple therapies, including ABA, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and feeding therapy, with the goal of maximizing the impact of each type of therapy for the child. The facility includes large gyms and classroom-like spaces designed to help children prepare for school settings. As with other Hopebridge centers, the new Beavercreek location will focus on providing one-on-one therapy to meet the unique needs of each child. With the opening of this new center, Hopebridge continues to provide innovative autism support programs for families and children across Ohio, reinforcing the importance of personalized care.
The new center marks Hopebridge’s 11th location in Ohio, reflecting the company’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for autism services across the state. With 117 locations in 12 states, Hopebridge continues to provide comprehensive care, serving thousands of families across the country. Through their expansion, Hopebridge is able to offer critical autism support programs to help children and families thrive.
Conclusion
The ongoing expansion of autism therapy centers across the United States reflects a growing recognition of the need for specialized services to support individuals with autism and related conditions. From ABA Centers of America’s rapid growth in New Jersey to Shrub Oak International School’s innovative Pines program and Autism Learning Partners’ continued expansion, these organizations are making significant strides in providing high-quality, comprehensive care. Hopebridge’s new center in Ohio further illustrates the importance of accessible, multidisciplinary care for children with autism. Together, these companies are helping to shape the future of autism therapy, ensuring that individuals and families across the country have access to the support they need to thrive with effective autism support programs.
