In a significant move to expand its services and impact, Helping Hands Family, a renowned autism therapy provider based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, has announced the acquisition of Mission Autism Clinics. This strategic merger adds 13 new centers to Helping Hands Family’s already established presence in Maryland and Pennsylvania, further extending their footprint into Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. With the addition of Mission Autism Clinics, Helping Hands Family now operates a total of 38 locations across the Northeast.
The acquisition represents a merging of two child-centered organizations with a shared mission to provide high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children and young adults with autism. Helping Hands Family CEO, Fali Sidhva, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, noting that combining the strengths of both organizations would help deliver even better care to more communities. “Merging with Mission Autism Clinics enables us to combine the strengths of two strong, child-centered organizations to bring quality ABA therapy to more communities,” Sidhva told Autism Business News.
A Closer Look at Mission Autism Clinics
Founded in 2019 by Lisa DeAngelo and Paul DeAngelo Sr., Mission Autism Clinics is based in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and has quickly built a reputation for providing specialized ABA therapy. As one of the leading autism therapy providers in the region, they offer in-center therapy for children ages 2 to 6, along with home, school, and community-based care for children, teens, and young adults. Their comprehensive approach to care is designed to meet the unique needs of each child and family, making them a trusted name in the autism therapy space.
The merger brings together two organizations that share a deep commitment to improving the lives of children with autism and their families. Mission Autism Clinics has been praised for its focus on providing personalized, evidence-based therapy to children at different stages of development. With the added resources and infrastructure that Helping Hands Family brings to the table, Mission Autism Clinics will be able to extend its reach and impact, ultimately benefiting more families in need of autism therapy providers.
What the Acquisition Means for the Future
While the terms of the acquisition deal remain undisclosed, the immediate goal for Helping Hands Family is to maintain the existing services provided by both companies. Patients currently receiving therapy at Mission Autism Clinics will continue to receive the same level of care, and employees from both organizations will retain their roles. This transition period is designed to ensure that there is no disruption in services or care.
Looking ahead, Helping Hands Family plans to expand staff resources, offer additional training opportunities, and improve operational structures across all 38 locations. With this merger, both companies will have access to more resources, which will ultimately translate into better care, more comprehensive services, and enhanced support for patients and their families. One of the most significant changes over time will be the rebranding of Mission Autism Clinics’ locations under the Helping Hands Family identity, allowing the merged organization to present a unified front in the communities it serves. Helping Hands Family continues to emerge as one of the most prominent autism therapy providers in the region.
The Role of Zenyth Partners and Seven Isles Capital
Helping Hands Family is backed by Zenyth Partners, a New York City-based private equity firm focused on healthcare investments. The firm’s backing has played a crucial role in Helping Hands Family’s rapid expansion and its ability to acquire Mission Autism Clinics. Zenyth Partners has been instrumental in helping the company scale its operations while maintaining a focus on high-quality care for children with autism.
Mission Autism Clinics, on the other hand, was previously a portfolio company of Seven Isles Capital, a firm that focuses on investing in high-growth businesses in the healthcare sector. The founder and CEO of Mission Autism Clinics, Paul DeAngelo Jr., is also an executive at Seven Isles Capital. This connection provided a strong foundation for the clinic’s growth, allowing it to quickly establish itself as a trusted provider of ABA therapy in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Helping Hands Family’s Continued Growth and Commitment to Development
The acquisition of Mission Autism Clinics is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Helping Hands Family. Earlier in 2023, the company acquired the Pennsylvania facilities of Invo Healthcare, further expanding its reach. Additionally, Helping Hands Family has developed an 18-month-long fellowship program designed to foster the development of new board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), who play a crucial role in developing and overseeing ABA therapy plans. The demand for BCBAs continues to outpace supply, and Helping Hands Family is committed to addressing this shortage by providing valuable training opportunities for the next generation of clinicians.
As part of the company’s long-term vision, Helping Hands Family is also looking to streamline and improve its operations, making ABA therapy more accessible to families in need. The company’s expansion into new locations and its efforts to bolster its workforce are key components of its broader strategy to meet the growing demand for autism services across the region.
The Future of Autism Therapy: A Unified Vision
With the acquisition of Mission Autism Clinics, Helping Hands Family is poised for continued success and growth. The merger allows the company to offer a wider range of services to families affected by autism while maintaining a steadfast focus on high-quality, evidence-based care. The company’s leadership, resources, and commitment to staff development will ensure that the therapy provided across all locations is of the highest standard.
Ultimately, this acquisition represents a step forward in Helping Hands Family’s mission to provide more children and families with access to the specialized therapy and support they need. With the combined strength of both organizations, Helping Hands Family is better equipped to meet the challenges of today’s autism therapy landscape and continue its work of making a meaningful impact in the lives of children, teens, and young adults with autism. As one of the leading autism therapy providers, Helping Hands Family’s expansion signals a positive shift for families in need of quality care and support.
