Monthly Newsletter - October 2024
Summary of the Month
October brought significant advancements in autism diagnostics, expansions of ABA services, and key industry partnerships. MARAbio secured funding for an early-detection autism blood test, and machine learning models are improving autism prediction in young children. Studies highlighted disparities in autism diagnoses across racial and gender lines, emphasizing the need for more inclusive diagnostic practices. Major providers expanded services across multiple regions, while acquisitions by CentralReach and WTWH Media underscored ongoing investment interest in the industry.
Industry Innovations and Diagnostic Advances
- MARAbio Secures $19M for Autism Blood Test
- Biotech firm MARAbio raised $19 million to bring its maternal autoantibody-related (MAR) autism blood test to market by 2025, enabling earlier detection and intervention.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
- Machine Learning Models for Predicting Autism
- New machine learning models demonstrate nearly 80% accuracy in predicting autism spectrum disorder in children under two, aiming to streamline diagnoses and enhance early intervention strategies.
- Source: Autism Research Journal
- Addressing Inequities in Autism Diagnosis
- Studies reveal significant increases in autism prevalence among racial and ethnic minorities between 2011 and 2022:
- Non-Hispanic children: 146% increase
- Hispanic children: 315% increase
- African American and Indigenous children also saw disproportionate increases.
- Gender disparities are narrowing, with the male-to-female diagnosis ratio shifting from 4:1 to closer to 3:1, highlighting that autism in girls may often go unrecognized.
- Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Studies reveal significant increases in autism prevalence among racial and ethnic minorities between 2011 and 2022:
Provider Expansions and New Center Openings
ABA Centers of America Expands in New Jersey
- Opened a 13,000-square-foot center in Mount Laurel, offering diagnostic services and ABA therapy for teens.
- Plans to open seven additional centers in New Jersey in 2025.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
- Autism Learning Partners Opens New Center in Maryland
- Launched its fifth Maryland location in Silver Spring, focusing on Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) for young children.
- Source: Autism Learning Partners
- Hopebridge Expands in Ohio
- Opened a 20-room center in Beavercreek, providing ABA, speech therapy, and diagnostic services.
- This marks Hopebridge’s 11th center in Ohio.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
- Lighthouse Autism Center Grows in Iowa
- Established a new location in Cedar Rapids to serve 25 families, offering ABA, speech therapy, diagnostic testing, and pre-academic learning programs.
- Plans further expansions supported by Cerberus Capital Management.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
- April ABA Expands in Texas
- Announced plans to open three new centers across Texas, focusing on underserved regions with ABA, speech, and occupational therapy services.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
- Cortica Expands Integrated Care Model in Dallas, TX
- Set to open a new center in Dallas offering ABA, speech-language, and occupational therapy.
- Supported by over $115 million in investments, aiming to provide comprehensive care.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business
Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships
- CentralReach Acquires Behavior Science Technology
- The acquisition enhances CentralReach’s capabilities in RBT retention and treatment fidelity, supporting value-based care models in ABA.
- Source: CentralReach
- WTWH Media Acquires Autism Investor Summit
- This acquisition aims to enhance investment visibility within the ABA sector, offering a networking platform for investors, providers, and stakeholders.
- Source: Behavioral Health Business