The autism therapy industry is seeing a resurgence in dealmaking, with two recent acquisitions making headlines. Alongside ABA, based in Fullerton, California, announced its acquisition of San Diego ABA, a move that CEO Dr. Ronit Molko says will strengthen their clinical team and community ties. Nicholas Ascolese, co-owner of San Diego ABA, will continue to lead the San Diego region under the new ownership.
On the other hand, ABA Unlimited, headquartered in Warren, New Jersey, acquired BehaviorWise, a provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism, anxiety, and ADHD. Founded in 2011, BehaviorWise operates one location in Short Hills, New Jersey. ABA Unlimited is led by Ashley Appleton, who also founded CogniCare Psychological Services, an outpatient mental health provider.
Both deals have not disclosed their terms, but they signify a growing trend in the autism therapy industry towards consolidation and expansion. Data from The Braff Group and Mertz Taggart show a significant increase in dealmaking activity in the first quarter of 2025, with a rise in transactions compared to the same period in previous years.
According to Kevin Taggart, Managing Partner at Mertz Taggart, the behavioral health sector is experiencing a resurgence in dealmaking, with total transactions reaching the highest volume since 2021. Sales of organizations providing ABA therapy, in particular, have been highly competitive, reflecting the growing demand for autism therapy services.
Overall, the recent acquisitions by Alongside ABA and ABA Unlimited are indicative of a thriving market for autism therapy services, with companies looking to expand their reach and enhance their offerings to better support families and children with autism. With increased dealmaking activity and competition in the industry, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to shape the landscape of autism therapy in the coming months.
