Jaguar Targets Genetic Cause of Autism in New FDA-Cleared Trial 

There are currently no treatments for a genetic anomaly that causes a type of autism spectrum disorder and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), an autism-related condition.  Biotechnology company Jaguar Gene Therapy is launching the first human gene therapy trial to address the root cause of the condition. The therapy, called JAG201, targets the SHANK3 gene. Mutations in […]

EdTheory Expands Into Center-Based ABA Therapy As Proficio Therapy Services

EdTheory, a special education and K-12 mental services provider, has expanded into center-based applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services.  The company, which also offers ABA therapy in schools, homes and via telehealth, is aligning its affiliate companies, Proficio Speech Therapy Group and AGES Learning Solutions, to launch a new ABA company, Proficio Therapy Services (PTS). Fairfield, […]

Merakey, Elwyn Call Off Deal to Create $1B Organization

The merger of the Pennsylvania-based nonprofits Merakey and Elwyn — which would have created a $1 billion-revenue organization — has been called off. While the two nonprofits declined to answer questions about why the tie-up didn’t materialize, a C-suite executive of Merakey told Behavioral Health Business that “both organizations mutually agreed to walk away from […]

Renovus Capital Partners Invests in ABA Provider Behavioral Framework

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) provider Behavioral Framework received a new investment from private equity firm Renovus Capital Partners. Behavioral Framework plans to use the funds to professionalize and invest in its services as well as to onboard new leadership, CEO Kyle West told Behavioral Health Business. The company declined to share the specific amount of […]

Top Behavioral Health Trends for 2024

After a tumultuous 2023, 2024 may be a steadier year for the behavioral health industry. While behavioral health deals slipped in 2023, Behavioral Health Business expects M&A to pick up this year as interest rates fall and the economy stabilizes. Still, the M&A craze of 2021 is unlikely, and mega deals will be scarce. This […]

60% of IDD Providers Thinking About Shutting Down Services

The industry outlook for community-based intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) providers worsened in 2023. Poll data from the nonprofit advocacy organization American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) shows that 60% of professionals polled at 581 organizations that operate in 45 states and the District of Columbia said that their organizations were likely to […]

The ABA Staffing Strategies That Work — And The Ones That Fall Flat

Addressing the staffing shortage among autism service providers will likely require a multi-pronged approach. As rates of autism diagnosis have rapidly increased over the past few years, providers have struggled to keep up with the demand. Still, operators have successfully retained talent by building new career pathways for employees, increasing pay, and creating a meaningful […]

Virtual ADHD Care Provider Done Expands with 30 New Brick-and-Mortar Clinics

Direct-to-consumer virtual operator Done has opened 30 physical clinic locations across the country. Like Done’s virtual services, these new locations will be focused on providing ADHD care and medications to adults. This move comes less than a year after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a proposed rule that would essentially end the virtual telehealth […]

Autism One-Stop Shops Improve Patient Care, But Can’t Cover Everything

Many health services are designed for neurotypical people, which can make it difficult for people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions to access offerings, such as primary care and dental care. But more autism providers are looking to tackle this issue by integrating specialized medical care under their roofs. Creating a “one-stop shop” for autism […]

Inside The Competitive But Fragmented World of IDD Dealmaking

The intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) field may be one of the most complex and fragmented segments of the behavioral health industry. That has not prevented IDD providers, however, from driving an impressive number of deals. That includes both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. “Having run and operated within all verticals of behavioral health, IDD is […]