In a strategic move aimed at broadening its impact and enhancing its service offerings, Proven Behavior Solutions, a leading provider of autism therapy, has acquired Prism Autism Education & Consultation. This acquisition marks Proven’s expansion into Connecticut, making it the company’s second state of operation and bringing its total facility count to an impressive seven. This growth further solidifies Proven’s position as a key player in the autism therapy space and underscores its commitment to offering comprehensive, high-quality services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Scott Snider, CEO of Proven Behavior Solutions, expressed excitement over the new partnership. “We are excited to welcome Prism into the Proven family,” Snider said in a statement. “This partnership strengthens our ability to offer even more comprehensive, high-quality services to children with autism, and we are looking forward to working with the talented team at Prism to make a difference in the lives of many more families.”
Proven Behavior Solutions, headquartered in Norwell, Massachusetts, has built a strong foundation in the field of autism therapy with its network of four clinical centers across Massachusetts. The organization offers a wide range of services, including center-based, home-based, and community-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, as well as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Proven is also proud to be in-network with several leading health plans, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, MassHealth, Tricare, and others. This extensive insurance coverage makes their services accessible to a broad population, providing families with the support they need for children on the autism spectrum.
The autism therapy expansion also received backing from Health Enterprise Partners, a private equity firm based in New York City. Health Enterprise Partners, which invested in Proven in 2022, focuses on lower middle-market healthcare and technology investments. Their portfolio includes other notable companies in the healthcare space, such as Aware Recovery Care and NOCD, further demonstrating their expertise in healthcare-focused investments.
The newly acquired Prism Autism Education & Consultation, based in Farmington, Connecticut, operates three facilities that specialize in providing diagnostic evaluations and ABA therapy for young children with autism. Prism has earned a strong reputation in the Connecticut area for its commitment to high-quality care and its expertise in working with children on the autism spectrum. Like Proven, Prism is in-network with major health plans such as Cigna, Anthem, Optum, and Aetna, making its services widely accessible to families.
Despite the acquisition, Proven has opted not to rebrand Prism. Instead, Prism will continue to operate under its well-established name. This decision underscores Proven’s respect for Prism’s brand identity and the strong reputation it has built in Connecticut over the years. Additionally, Rachael Coburn, CEO of Prism, will remain in her role following the acquisition, ensuring continuity and stability during the transition. Coburn expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, noting the opportunities it brings for both organizations.
“This partnership brings exciting opportunities, including improved technology, additional training resources, and new operational efficiencies that will support both professional growth and expand our mission to provide outstanding care,” said Coburn. “I am excited to continue to serve Prism in my leadership role, ensuring continuity and stability both during and following the transition.”
The autism therapy expansion through the acquisition of Prism is not the only recent development in the autism therapy sector. As 2024 winds down, other significant acquisitions have been taking place, signaling a trend of consolidation in the industry. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, a global investment firm, acquired Center for Social Dynamics, another prominent autism therapy provider. This deal also saw NMS Capital, the provider’s previous private equity investor, reinvesting in the company as part of the transaction. In late November, Kelly Education, a national provider of education staffing services, acquired Children’s Therapy Center (CTC), which provides a range of therapeutic services, including occupational, physical, and speech therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), cerebral palsy, and other developmental motor or speech delays.
These recent acquisitions, including Proven’s purchase of Prism, reflect a growing trend in the autism therapy expansion space, where larger organizations are seeking to expand their reach, enhance their service offerings, and improve the quality of care for children with autism. With increasing demand for autism services, the consolidation of providers is seen as a way to pool resources, improve operational efficiencies, and make high-quality care more accessible to families across the country.
For Proven Behavior Solutions, the acquisition of Prism is a strategic step in its mission to expand its services and provide even more children with the support they need to thrive. As the company continues to grow, the combination of Proven’s established infrastructure and Prism’s expertise in autism care will allow the organization to better serve families in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond.
With the addition of Prism, Proven is well-positioned to further its mission of providing personalized, evidence-based care that helps children with autism lead fuller, more independent lives. The integration of Prism’s facilities and staff into the Proven network will provide enhanced training, improved technology, and greater access to specialized care for families in both states. As Proven looks to the future, the company remains committed to its core values of compassion, innovation, and excellence in the services it provides to the autism community.
This acquisition is just one example of how the autism therapy expansion landscape is evolving. As more organizations come together to provide integrated care, the future of autism therapy looks brighter than ever for children and families across the country.
