May 20, 2025
Marketdata LLC, a leading independent market research publisher since 1979, has released a new study, a 107-page report entitled: The U.S. Autism Treatment Centers Market. The study traces the market from 2009-2028 Forecast, examining ABA programs and medications used to treat children with autism.
There are 1.5 million children with autism in America, and the United States is the largest market for autism treatment programs. This is a long-term growth market. The combination of demand outpacing the supply of therapists and centers, more favorable insurance reimbursement, private equity investment, more widespread awareness of the condition and advocacy efforts by dozens of organizations, plus the rising incidence of autism among children, all points to sustained growth over the long term.
According to Research Director, John LaRosa: “The ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) treatment programs are considered to be the most effective and widely used programs for autistic children, but providers are being scrutinized more carefully about outcomes data and billing. A therapist shortage, plus uncertainty over funding from the Trump Administration are the two main headwinds.”
Major Findings:
- Market Value & Growth… The U.S. autism treatment market is estimated to be valued at $4.4 billion as of 2024. Marketdata forecasts 3.8% annual revenue growth for the market to 2028.
- This is a fragmented market of at least 1,622 non-profit and for-profit treatment centers and schools. The for-profit chains operate 892 centers.
- Treatment center revenues… A groundbreaking analysis by Marketdata, of non-profit programs, based on IRS 990 tax forms, finds that the non-profit treatment centers had revenues estimated at $2.9 billion in 2024, while the 13 largest for-profit chains had revenues of $1.06 billion.
- Demand… There are an estimated 1.5 million autistic children in the U.S., with 961,000 of them receiving treatment via a program. Many are left without care.
- Private Equity Activity… Private equity investors have been very active in this market, backing eight major for-profit chains. Changes to U.S. federal and state laws now compel insurance companies to reimburse autism treatments, making the field attractive to investors Private equity firms, including Blackstone and KKR, have invested billions into the ABA/autism treatment industry
- Challenges:.. Treatment centers had to add virtual services due to the pandemic, and they have adjusted. Most are small operations with revenues under $5 million. There is a therapist shortage currently. Some bad apples were fraudulently over-billing, leading to more scrutiny.
- Huge Demand For Therapists…. There are basically three types of ABA program providers: brick & mortar centers, community providers, and In-home therapists. There is a shortage of ABA therapists – only 33,000 are certified. The per capita supply of certified ABA facilities falls below the benchmark in 49 states.
- The top for-profit chains… Thirteen large multi-site ABA program providers operate an estimated 892 brick & mortar centers and are aggressively acquiring competing centers and building new ones. Together, they accounted for at least $1.06 billion in revenues in 2024.
About The Report
The U.S. Autism Treatment Centers Market, published in May 2025, is an independent “off-the-shelf” market research study. The study is 107 pages in length, with 14 in-depth competitor profiles and 14 tables and charts. The report is analysis of: market definition, $ size from 2009-2028 forecast, market structure, key operating metrics of treatment centers and ABA programs, for-profit vs. non-profit centers, major trends and issues, regulation, therapist salaries, consumer demand, and in-depth competitor profiles. The autism medications market is also covered. Report Price: $995. A free Table of Contents is available by email or at Marketdataenterprises.com. Contact: Marketdata LLC, 7210 Wareham Drive, Tampa, FL 33647, (813) 971-8080. John LaRosa is available for interviews and presentations.