What PE Investors Want from Autism Treatment Providers

With private equity’s interest in autism expected to accelerate in 2020, providers in the space are poised to have a potentially lucrative year.  The autism market, though one of the smallest sub sectors in behavioral health at an estimated $7 billion, currently commands some of the industry’s highest valuations. “In autism, [multiples are] upwards of […]

Behavioral Health M&A Down 21% in Q4 2019

There was a steep slowdown in mergers and acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2019, according to new data from Irving Levin Associates. During the quarter there were 15 publicly announced transactions, down 21% from the 19 transactions in Q3 2019 and down 46% from a year earlier. “This sector has seen years of growth […]

Private Equity Hungry for Autism Providers, Consolidation Will Accelerate

Private equity’s interest in autism has boomed in recent years, and in 2020, providers can expect to see more of the same. Armed with record levels of capital, private equity firms such as Blackstone Group, Inc. and Carlyle Group LP have amassed almost $1.5 trillion in unspent capital, the highest year-end total on record, according […]

Transactions: The Columbus Organization’s Florida Foothold; Discovery Behavioral Health’s Rapid Acquisitions

The Columbus Organization Acquires Progressive Journey Group The Columbus Organization, an Indianapolis-based provider of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has announced its acquisition of Orlando, Florida-based Progressive Journey Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Columbus Organization has more than 30 years of experience serving people with IDD […]

UHS Ramps Up Behavioral Health JV Activity But Struggles with Workforce Shortages

Despite being one of the largest behavioral health providers in the country, Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) isn’t immune to industry pain points such as workforce shortages and regulatory pressures. But even with those struggles, UHS continues to grow its behavioral health footprint and market hold. The King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based company has done that […]

Speech Pathology Group Announces Buyout of Comprehensive Autism Center

Add Comprehensive Autism Centers (CAC) to the list of investments in Ridgemont Equity Partners’ portfolio. Walnut Creek, California-based speech therapy provider Speech Pathology Group (SPG) has reached a deal to acquire CAC, a Southern California-based autism services provider of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapies. Ridgemont — a Charlotte, North Carolina-based middle market private equity firm […]

InSight Telepsychiatry Merges with Regroup Telehealth

InSight Telepsychiatry and Regroup Telehealth have merged to form the “largest and most comprehensive telepsychiatry service provider” in the country, according to a press release announcing the news. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mount Laurel, New Jersey,-based InSight is a telepsychiatry company with more than twenty years of experience. It provides on-demand, […]

Little Leaves Behavioral Services Opens New Autism Center, Announces Plans for Others

Little Leaves Behavioral Services has its eyes set on growth: The applied behavioral analysis provider has opened a new children’s autism center in Germantown, Maryland. It also has new locations in the works elsewhere in Maryland, Virginia and Florida, the company announced. Silver Spring, Maryland-based Little Leaves is a division of special education and instructional […]