ABA Monthly Newsletter – February 2025
Summary of the Month
February saw multiple center launches, robust AI investment in autism care, continuing M&A activity, and key regulatory developments affecting ABA clinics and autism research. A new federal commission is set to examine chronic diseases, including autism. Providers remain upbeat about workforce trends, citing improved BCBA/RBT retention alongside a sharp increase in BCBA demand. Below is a categorized recap of the month’s most important autism and ABA news, followed by related updates from the wider mental health sector.
Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism-Focused News
Investments, Acquisitions and Reorganizations
Nautic Partners Acquires Proud Moments ABA
- Summary: Audax Private Equity sold Proud Moments—now 70 clinics across 12 states—to Nautic Partners. Proud Moments serves about 3,000 children weekly, marking another major PE-backed deal in the ABA sector.
- Sources: McGuireWoods (via JD Supra), Behavioral Health Business
New Center Openings & Diagnostic Clinics
ALP’s Planned ABA Center in West Springfield, MA
- Summary: Autism Learning Partners will open its West Springfield location on Feb. 28, offering center-based ABA, collaboration with speech/OT as needed, and parent training. ALP hopes to fill the demand for quality services in Western Massachusetts.
- Source: PR Newswire (Feb. 27, 2025)
Easterseals NE Ohio Diagnostic Clinic (Youngstown)
- Summary: Easterseals of Northeast Ohio opened a new clinic to expedite autism evaluations, often cutting year-long waitlists. Led by a licensed therapist, the clinic aims to provide a “sensory-friendly” diagnostic experience.
- Source: WFMJ/local coverage (Feb. 13, 2025)
Melmark’s Adult Services Community (Tewksbury, MA)
- Summary: With a $15M+ investment, Melmark broke ground on an intentional community for adults with autism/IDD. Plans include housing, a day program, job training, and a coffee-shop enterprise, addressing the critical gap in adult services.
- Source: Melmark Press Release (Feb. 24, 2025)
Lighthouse Autism Center Expands in Nebraska
- Summary: Lighthouse opened its second Lincoln clinic, targeting 30 additional families. This expansion aligns with Lighthouse’s broader multi-state growth across the Midwest.
- Source: GlobeNewswire (Feb. 11, 2025)
Cortica’s 8,400-sq-ft Plano, TX Center
- Summary: Officially launching Feb. 20, the center offers diagnostics and multiple therapies (ABA, speech, OT, music) all under one roof, with minimal wait for morning sessions.
- Source: Plano Magazine (Feb. 11, 2025)
ABA Centers of America Heads to D.C.
- Summary: ABA Centers of America signed a lease to open a clinic at Skyland Town Center in Southeast D.C., continuing their nationwide expansion.
- Source: Washington Business Journal (Feb. 11, 2025)
Acorn Health Expands Diagnostic Services in Michigan
- Summary: Acorn Health is enlarging its telehealth and in-person diagnostic services throughout Northern and Southeast Michigan, aiming to curb long wait times for autism evaluations.
- Source: Company Announcement
InBloom’s Larger Woburn, MA Location
- Summary: InBloom Autism Services relocated to a 10,000+ sq-ft site—double its previous size—to address rising demand for center-based ABA for children 18 months to 5 years old.
- Source: PR Newswire (Mar. 4, 2025)
Regulatory News
Trump’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Commission
- Summary: A presidential executive order tasks new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with investigating chronic conditions like autism. While some question possible vaccine-related controversies, the administration says the commission will broadly address research and best practices.
- Source: Fox News (Feb. 13, 2025)
Research & Innovative Tech
Frontera Health Raises $32M
- Summary: Seed round led by Lux Capital and Lightspeed to build AI that analyzes therapy at 30 frames/second for deeper clinical insights. Founded by Amol Deshpande (ex-Farmers Business Network), Frontera aims to expedite diagnoses.
- Sources: BusinessDen, Pulse 2.0 (Feb. 24–26, 2025)
Sergey Brin’s Autism-Focused Philanthropy
- Summary: Expanding his $2B “CNS Quest,” the Google cofounder now invests heavily in autism R&D, bridging major charitable grants and targeted VC funds to bolster early detection and novel therapies.
- Sources: Forbes (Feb. 6, 2025), YouTube (Feb. 15, 2025)
BlinkLab’s Smartphone Autism Test
- Summary: The Washington-based company secured its first U.S. clinical trial site for an app-based autism screening, joining the wave of handheld AI innovations in early detection.
- Source: The West Australian (Feb. 4, 2025)
Persistently Elevated ADHD in Autistic Adults
- Summary: A multi-state study found 27–40% of autistic adults also have ADHD, associated with higher rates of substance use and cardiovascular issues. Medication lowered some risk factors.
- Sources: Scienmag, JAMA Network Open (Feb. 12, 2025)
ABA Workforce & Hiring Trends
BCBA Demand Continues to Surge
- Summary: A new report from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), using data from the analytics firm Lightcast, indicates that unduplicated job postings requiring a BCBA or BCBA-D credential jumped 58% year-over-year in 2024. Specifically, postings rose from 65,366 to 103,150.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business (Feb. 24, 2025)
Autism Providers Predict Workforce Stability
- Summary: After years of high turnover, providers point to improved RBT/BCBA retention fueled by workforce stabilization, advanced training programs, and new recruitment strategies.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business (Feb. 10, 2025)
Related Mental Health News
In funding highlights, Little Otter (child/family mental health) raised $9.5 million, while Sonar Mental Health (an AI-based platform for youth) secured $2.4 million, and Millie garnered $12 million for its maternal mental health program.
Elsewhere, FullBloom continued its strategic growth by acquiring CharacterStrong, a provider of K-12 mental health curricula, thereby enriching its youth-focused offerings.
Meanwhile, Apple launched a virtual mental health study in partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, exploring how data from iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods could signal behavioral health needs—a sign that more major tech players are linking wearable technology with mental health insights.
For questions or feedback on this newsletter, please contact us at [email protected].
Best regards,
The Bixpli Team