Agenda

 

 

 

Explore how evolving expectations around outcomes and oversight are reshaping the autism therapy landscape in this forward-looking discussion. Top leaders from Alongside ABA, Autism Care Partners and Lighthouse Autism Center will share insights on the new opportunities emerging from these shifts while also sharing their outlooks for the year ahead.

M&A activity in autism care has shifted significantly in 2025, setting the stage for what’s ahead in 2026. Leaders from Shore Capital Partners, Behavioral Innovations and BMO will share lessons learned, key market drivers, and what investors and operators should prepare for next. This session will unpack the trends shaping the dealmaking landscape in autism services.

Traditional autism diagnosis often depends on clinical observation and parent reporting—delaying identification until age four or five and missing vital windows for early intervention. In this session, Jamie Pagliaro of EarliPoint Health will introduce an FDA-cleared technology that enables objective, data-driven diagnosis as early as 16 months, transforming how families and providers detect and respond to developmental concerns. Tricia Zerger, Sr. Director of Human Services Strategy at Netsmart, will share how connecting early detection capabilities within a single platform unites diagnostics, data and care delivery—helping organizations act sooner and drive measurable outcomes. Together, they’ll show why having a strategic technology advisor behind you makes all the difference in scaling early intervention, optimizing operations, and preparing for the next generation of autism care.

Autism providers are navigating rising costs, tighter labor markets, evolving payer expectations and a shift toward value-based arrangements. Scale can help overcome those obstacles, but traditional M&A and private equity models aren’t the only paths to scaling up. In this session, experts from Inperium will outline an affiliation-based alternative that preserves local identity while unlocking advantages such as capital access, enterprise-level back-office services and innovative technology. Drawing on over 35 transactions and a nonprofit network with almost $1 billion of consolidated revenue, speakers will share examples of how affiliations have stabilized operations, expanded programs, improved recruitment and retention, and accelerated tech adoption, outside of a traditional model

In this session, Lumary, Hi Rasmus, and Behavioral Framework share how connecting clinical and operational metrics can drive sustainable growth for ABA organizations. The discussion will look at how powerful executive dashboards are changing the game for large providers by enabling smarter decision-making, improving care quality, and supporting scalability.

Payer negotiations in autism services are evolving and the stakes are high. This panel will explore how providers can use outcomes data, patient impact and operational metrics to gain leverage in reimbursement discussions, with insights from both the provider and payer sides. Speakers will also explore questions around in-network and out-of-network approaches.

After a decade of limited oversight, the autism services landscape is entering a new era of accountability. This session will explore emerging state and federal policy shifts — from new reporting and outcomes requirements to proposed limits on service hours and duration — and what they mean for providers navigating an evolving Medicaid environment.

 

This session explores cutting-edge approaches to autism assessment and support that move beyond traditional standardized methods to embrace more personalized, comprehensive, and innovative practices. Participants will learn about emerging tools, methodologies, and care frameworks that better recognize the diverse needs and strengths of autistic individuals across different life stages and contexts.

Value-based care is transforming autism services and payer-provider partnerships are at the center of this evolution. Hear from leaders at Autism Care Partners and Carelon Behavioral Health as they explore how collaboration is defining quality, outcomes and sustainability in the space.

"A Guide to Scaling with Quality" offers practical tips for growing an ABA organization without losing focus on what matters most – quality care. This presentation covers simple ways to strengthen operations, support teams, and stay organized while expanding services.

The demand for autism services is soaring, but hiring and retaining qualified clinicians hasn’t kept pace. This session explores how AI and technology-driven tools are helping providers rethink recruitment, training and retention strategies. Leaders from 360 Behavioral Health and Talentcare share what’s working, what’s hype and where the next wave of workforce innovation is headed.

29th Floor

Reimbursement dynamics are increasingly influencing valuations, deal structures and growth strategies in autism services. This session will explore how payer trends are shaping the current M&A landscape and what investors and operators should anticipate moving forward.

This session focuses on transforming the traditional parent-professional dynamic by positioning parents as equal partners and essential collaborators in their child's autism care journey. Participants will explore strategies for meaningful parent engagement, shared decision-making, and empowering families to actively contribute their expertise and insights to improve outcomes and service delivery.

The autism therapy industry has been dominated by applied behavior analysis. As the industry faces an ever-increasing mismatch between outcomes, costs and provider supply, more and more people are seeking alternatives to tried and true mainstays. The panel will address the business aspects of autism therapy businesses that do not include ABA.

Join Molly Ola Pinney, founder of the Global Autism Project and co-founder of ABA Business Coach, for a raw and revealing conversation with one of her clients who has made the bold leap from clinician to CEO. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts, identity struggles, and breakthroughs that come with stepping out of the therapy room and into the boardroom. This is more than a success story – it’s a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead a thriving business without losing your soul in the process.