What Lighthouse Autism Center does

Lighthouse Autism Center (legal entity: LAC Intermediate, LLC) is a multi-site, center-based provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, integrated speech-language services, autism diagnostic testing, and parent support programs for children with autism spectrum disorder aged 1-12. Its core clinical methodology is ABA, augmented by the proprietary, trademarked Lighthouse Fusion® model that integrates speech-language pathology into ABA programming, delivered by dually certified SLP/BCBA clinicians — a rare credential combination. The company operates 40+ physical centers across six states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, and North Carolina), with continued de novo expansion and densification into 2026.

The business model is a recurring clinical services model billed primarily through Medicaid and commercial insurance, with out-of-pocket payment as a secondary option. Customer acquisition is multi-channel: physician and provider referrals (with a dedicated referral form and Autism 101 training), direct-to-consumer intake via website, and community-led demand generation through free Autism 101 Training for first responders, schools, and healthcare providers. Lighthouse reports average parent satisfaction of 4.7-4.8 out of 5 across multiple experience dimensions (data as of January 2025). The organization employs a multidisciplinary clinical team (BCBAs, SLP/BCBAs, RBTs) and a dedicated executive team including a CFO with prior ABA and acute-care CFO/CEO experience and a VP of De Novo and Market Analytics overseeing the new center opening pipeline.

Founded in 2004 by Gregg and Sandy Maggioli, parents of a child with autism, the company has scaled from a single Mishawaka, Indiana center to a regional multi-state platform. It is privately held, with disclosed institutional backing from ABRY Partners and Cerberus Capital Management (2018 and 2021 funding rounds). Joseph Giles was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board in October 2025 with a mandate to expand reach across multiple states, coinciding with announced center openings in North Carolina, Nebraska, and Iowa through 2026. A 2020 acquisition of Autism Therapy Services (undisclosed terms) added incremental clinical capacity.

Name

Lighthouse Autism Center

Legal name

LAC Intermediate, LLC

Website

https://lighthouseautismcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Lighthouse Autism Center is a multi-site provider of ABA therapy, integrated speech services, diagnostic testing, and parent support for children with autism ages 1-12, operating 40+ centers across six U.S. states. Revenue is generated primarily through Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (61171), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL)

Keywords

• ABA therapy services
• Autism diagnostic testing
• Pediatric behavioral health
• Speech language therapy
• Autism treatment centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Mishawaka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. ABA Therapy Services: Lighthouse Autism Center generates revenue by providing ABA therapy, speech therapy, diagnostic testing, and related autism services to children with autism. Revenue is derived from Medicaid, commercial insurance, and families. The company accepts both Medicaid and commercial insurance across its centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lighthouse Autism Center delivers center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, diagnostic testing, and integrated speech-language support for children ages 1–12 diagnosed with autism. Its proprietary Lighthouse Fusion® model embeds speech therapy directly into daily ABA programming through dually credentialed clinicians. The company operates more than 40 autism centers across six U.S. states and bills Medicaid and commercial insurance for services.

Product overview

Lighthouse Autism Center operates as a unified ABA therapy service provider centered around its innovative Lighthouse Fusion® model, which integrates speech therapy directly into daily ABA programming. The core offering consists of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services, diagnostic testing, and specialized speech support delivered through a multidisciplinary team of BCBAs, SLPs, and RBTs. Additional services include school readiness programs, social skills groups, and parent training support. The organization operates over 40 center-based locations across six states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, and North Carolina), serving children ages 1-12 with Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted. The company was founded in 2004 by Gregg and Sandy Maggioli, parents of a child with autism, and has grown from a single center in Mishawaka, Indiana to a regional provider network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lighthouse Fusion®: Innovative ABA therapy model that integrates speech therapy directly into a child's daily ABA programming, combining behavior analysis and speech therapy into one cohesive treatment approach.

Products and services

• Lighthouse Fusion® ABA Therapy Center-based Applied Behavior Analysis therapy delivered to children with autism ages 1–12, integrating speech-language pathology directly into daily ABA sessions through dually certified clinicians; available at 40+ centers across six U.S. states.
• Autism Diagnostic Testing Standardized diagnostic assessments (including ADOS-2, CARS-2, and Vineland-3) administered by licensed clinicians to evaluate children suspected of having autism spectrum disorder and determine eligibility for therapy services.
• Social Skills Groups Structured small-group therapy sessions where children with autism work on peer interaction, communication, and play skills under the supervision of clinical staff.
• School Readiness Program Targeted ABA-based program that prepares children with autism for transition into mainstream classroom environments by building pre-academic, behavioral, and social skills.
• Virtual Parent Training Program Remote-delivered training that equips parents and caregivers with evidence-based ABA strategies to support their child's developmental goals at home.
• Autism 101 Training Free educational orientation program for newly diagnosed families covering foundational information about autism, ABA therapy, and available center resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Parents and caregivers rated their overall experience with Lighthouse Autism Center at 4.8 out of 5 in the last 6 months (January 2025 data).
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Partnership for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Lighthouse Autism Center partners with local organizations like the Partnership for Children in the Smithfield, NC community to connect families with additional resources and support beyond Lighthouse's core ABA therapy services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hopebridge: Multi-state center-based ABA and occupational therapy provider serving children with autism. Directly comparable to Lighthouse in its clinic-led, insurance-billed model and active de novo expansion across the Midwest and Southeast.
• Autism Learning Partners: ABA therapy provider with center and home-based services across multiple states. Operates in overlapping Medicaid markets and competes directly for referrals and BCBA/RBT talent with Lighthouse.
• Kyo: ABA therapy provider serving children with autism through center-based and home-based programs in multiple states. Closely comparable in service model, age range, and insurance-billed revenue approach.
• Centria Healthcare: Large ABA therapy provider offering center-based and home-based services to children with autism, accepting Medicaid and commercial insurance. Closely comparable operating model and payer mix to Lighthouse Autism Center.
• InBloom Autism Services: Multi-state center-based ABA therapy provider focused on early intervention for children with autism. Comparable in clinical approach, payer relationships, and center-led growth strategy.
• Behavioral Innovations: Multi-state ABA therapy provider with a center-based delivery model focused on early intervention and autism. Comparable clinical offering, payer mix, and expansion strategy to Lighthouse.
• Surpass Behavioral Health: Center-based ABA therapy provider with operations in overlapping Midwest and Southeast geographies. Comparable in clinical model, age range served, and insurance-based revenue model.
• Proud Moments ABA: ABA therapy provider delivering center-based services to children with autism across multiple states. Directly comparable delivery model, target age range, and payer mix to Lighthouse.
• Intercare Therapy: ABA therapy provider offering center-based and home-based services across multiple states. Comparable in payer mix, target demographic, and integrated clinical team structure to Lighthouse.
• Acorn Health: Center-based ABA therapy provider operating across multiple states with a clinical model emphasizing evidence-based outcomes. Comparable in scale, center-based delivery, and target population to Lighthouse.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LighthouseAutismCenter
• Xx.com/lighthouseaba
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lighthouse-autism-center

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lighthouse Autism Center