Northwest Autism Center

What Northwest Autism Center does

Northwest Autism Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 in Spokane, Washington, that delivers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and related clinical services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities across the Inland Northwest. Its core service portfolio comprises four HCA-approved Early Intensive ABA Day Treatment Clinics serving children ages 2-5 (delivering approximately 3 hours per day across 48 treatment days per child), community-based ABA services delivered in-home and in natural community settings, speech and language therapy including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device assessments, and occupational therapy. The organization also operates the Skills & Recreation Center (adaptive recreation), the T.E.A.M. Outreach school-based training and consultation program, the Steps for Autism annual 5K event, the Giving Tree holiday gift program, and a free autism screening entry-point service for Washington State residents up to age 21.

Underlying technology and clinical protocols center on evidence-based ABA frameworks aligned with Washington State Health Care Authority guidelines adopted in 2014, BCBA-supervised individualized treatment plans, and multi-modal delivery channels (on-site clinic, in-home, community, telehealth). The organization holds BHCOE Accreditation (2022), CASP membership, BACB certification for staff, and Washington State Department of Health licensure under SB 5488. Partnerships anchor operations, including contracts with Spokane, Medical Lake, Pullman, and Cheney school districts, Eastern Washington University for clinical training and research, and the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (a $250,000 grant recipient). Since founding, the organization has served more than 5,000 families.

The business model is a hybrid of fee-for-service insurance reimbursement (Washington State managed care plans and private insurance for clinical services) and nonprofit funding (grants, donations, community fundraising events). Pricing is structured as recurring insurance-billed subscriptions for ongoing therapy services with a freemium free-screening entry point. Customers are primarily Washington State families affected by ASD (with a pediatric focus on ages 2-5 for the intensive clinic track and up to age 21 for screening), supplemented by public school district contracts, DDA-contracted residential care homes, and university partnerships. Founder and Executive Director Dawn Sidell, RN, leads a team of 26+ staff. The organization remains private, unbacked by venture capital or private equity, and operates exclusively within Washington State.

Name

Northwest Autism Center

Legal name

Northwest Autism Center

Website

https://nwautism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northwest Autism Center is a Spokane-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that delivers evidence-based ABA therapy, speech and language services, and occupational therapy to individuals with autism across the Inland Northwest, primarily serving Washington State families and children up to age 21.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Therapy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

ABA Therapy Providers (Home-Based) (EDAKAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), ABA Assessment & Diagnostic Support (Functional Assessments, VB-MAPP/ABLLS-R) (EDAKAHAE), Parent/Caregiver Training & Family Consultation (ABA) (EDAKAHAG)

Keywords

• Applied behavior analysis therapy
• Autism treatment services
• Speech language therapy
• Occupational therapy services
• Developmental disability support

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance-Reimbursed ABA Therapy: Intensive ABA therapy services provided through agency-approved clinics, accessible to children enrolled in Washington State managed care plans. Services are billed through insurance coverage.
2. Community-Based ABA Services: Individualized ABA treatment plans provided in-home and community settings. Accepts both public and private insurance.
3. Speech and Language Therapy: Evidence-based speech and language therapy offered in both short-term and on-going treatment models, billed through insurance.
4. Free Autism Screenings: Free and confidential autism screenings for individuals up to age 21 who are Washington State residents. Entry point for families seeking diagnosis and referrals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Northwest Autism Center provides comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and related clinical services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan. Core offerings include Early Intensive ABA Day Treatment Clinics, community-based ABA services delivered in-home and in community settings, speech and language therapy (including AAC technology), occupational therapy, free autism screenings, and a Skills & Recreation adaptive program, all coordinated by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts under Washington State HCA-approved protocols.

Product overview

Northwest Autism Center provides a comprehensive suite of autism and developmental disability services through multiple integrated programs. The core service portfolio includes Day Treatment Clinic (Early Intensive ABA Therapy for children ages 2-5), Community Based ABA Services (in-home and community settings), Speech and Language Therapy (including AAC devices), and Occupational Therapy. Supporting services include Free Autism Screenings for Washington State residents up to age 21, the Skills & Recreation Program (adaptive recreational activities), T.E.A.M. Outreach (school-based training), and Interprofessional Education. Community engagement programs include Steps for Autism (annual 5K walk event) and Giving Tree (holiday gift program). All ABA services are coordinated by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts and the organization is the only nonprofit Applied Behavior Analysis service provider in the Inland Northwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Treatment Clinic (Early Intensive ABA) Agency-approved Early Intensive ABA Treatment Clinic providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary services to young children ages 2-5 with autism spectrum and related conditions. Three hours per day over 48 treatment days per child, following WA State HCA guidelines, billed through insurance.
• Community Based ABA Services Individualized, data-based ABA treatment plans for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, delivered in-home and in community settings and coordinated by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts. Accepts public and private insurance.
• Speech and Language Therapy Evidence-based speech and language therapy offered by ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists in short-term and on-going treatment models. Includes Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology assessments and device trials for individuals with communication needs.
• Occupational Therapy Program promoting health, wellbeing and participation through purposeful activities to minimize barriers and enable individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to pursue meaningful occupations, including sensory processing and integration support.
• Free Autism Screenings Free and confidential autism screenings for individuals up to age 21 who are Washington State residents. Screens reviewed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and used as an entry point to provide resources and referrals.
• Skills & Recreation Program Community-facing program at the Skills & Recreation Center providing specialized and adaptive recreational activities for individuals with disabilities in a safe, inclusive environment with low barriers to engagement.
• T.E.A.M. Outreach (School Training Program) P-12 school training and consultation program providing expertise, training, and coaching to build public education system capacity for serving students with autism using evidence-based interventions with focus on ABA.
• Interprofessional Education Program providing learning opportunities across disciplines for university students, faculty, and practicing professionals to improve collaboration and quality of care in autism services.
• Steps for Autism (Annual 5K Community Event) Annual community 5K walk/run/roll event with vendor village and sensory-friendly activities, promoting inclusion and integration for individuals and families affected by autism.
• Giving Tree (Annual Holiday Gift Program) Annual holiday gift program providing hundreds of gifts to children and adults with developmental disabilities living in DDA-contracted residential care homes, coordinated with local agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 5,000 families served since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and supporting.

• Spokane Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Since 2012, Northwest Autism Center has partnered with Spokane Public Schools to provide expertise, training, consultation and coaching to build school capacity for serving children with autism. During 2021-2022, over 1,754 hours of behavioral therapy services were provided to students.
• Medical Lake Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012School partnership providing behavioral therapy services and educator training for students with autism.
• Pullman Public School SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012School partnership providing behavioral therapy services and educator training for students with autism.
• Cheney School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school partnership for autism support services since 2012.
• Eastern Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership including Domino Project collaboration (2005), student practicum and internship positions, research studies with PhD research faculty, and BCBA supervision hours for candidates.
• Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency-approved intensive ABA treatment clinics follow guidelines adopted by WA State HCA in 2014. HCA implements coverage for ABA treatment of autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Washington Office of Superintendent of Public InstructioncoreOthersAwarded $250,000 grant to support work with Spokane Public Schools through community-based organization grant for student learning, recovery and acceleration.
• Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DDA-contracted local agencies to identify individuals in supported living and group homes for Giving Tree holiday gift program.
• Third-Party Interpretation ProviderssupportingTechnology or IntegrationProfessional interpretation providers supporting families who need language assistance. Services may be covered by insurance.
• Local UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local universities for research studies, clinical education, and continuing education opportunities. Works with clinical research teams of PhD research faculty, medical students and graduate students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Catalight: Nonprofit network that delivers ABA and autism services across multiple U.S. states—comparable mission-driven, multidisciplinary ABA provider serving similar payer and family segments.
• BlueSprig Pediatrics: National for-profit operator of ABA therapy clinics for children with autism—direct competitor for billable intensive ABA services in mid-sized U.S. markets.
• Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers: Multi-state ABA therapy provider offering center-based and in-home ABA, occupational, and speech services—directly comparable multidisciplinary pediatric autism model.
• LEARN Behavioral: National ABA services organization delivering clinic, home, and community-based therapy for children with autism—comparable service mix, delivery modes, and payer mix.
• Cardinal ABA (formerly CARD): Large multi-state ABA provider founded around the same era, offering clinic and in-home ABA therapy—comparable clinical model and intensity-based treatment protocols.
• Cortica: Integrated ABA, speech, occupational, and medical services for children with autism—direct competitor on multidisciplinary, insurance-reimbursed pediatric autism therapy.
• May Institute: Nonprofit organization providing ABA, special education, and residential services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities—comparable nonprofit, multidisciplinary model.
• Lighthouse Autism Center: Multi-state ABA therapy provider specializing in early intensive ABA for children with autism—comparable center-based ABA model and similar payer/regulatory dynamics in U.S. states.

Regional players

• SARRC (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center): Regional nonprofit delivering ABA, screenings, and outreach in Arizona—closely analogous mission-driven regional autism services nonprofit operating in a single U.S. market.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: National autism advocacy and resource organization—comparable mission area, plays an adjacent role in awareness, policy, and family navigation that complements local service providers like Northwest Autism Center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4wfvlrSebzzUM0LbRy9fmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/nwautism
• Instagraminstagram.com/northwestautismcenter
• Xx.com/NWAutismCtr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northwest-autism-center

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Autism Center