Attainment Company

What Attainment Company does

Attainment Company is an independent, family-owned educational publisher and online retailer headquartered in Verona, Wisconsin, founded in 1979 by Don Bastian to serve people with disabilities in school, work, and life. The company develops, publishes, and distributes research-based curriculum materials, digital applications, and assistive technology devices primarily for K-12 special education schools and districts serving students with intellectual disabilities or autism; secondary segments include transition-age youth programs (ages 14-22), adult services and aging-care organizations, and parents/families of individuals with disabilities. Leadership transitioned to Autumn Garza as CEO in 2022, with founder Don Bastian continuing as Chairman of the Board and Managing Director.

The product portfolio spans three categories. Curriculum Products cover Math (Hands-On Math 2, Explore Math Series, Explore Algebra, Look At Math), Science (BIG Science for grades 6-12, Explore Chemistry), English Language Arts, Social Studies, Literacy (Early Literacy Skills Builder, Independent Reading Skills Builder, Real-Life Reader Library), Life Skills (Focus Series, Explore Budgeting), Work Skills, Transition and Career Pathways (Career Pathways Toolkits for Food Handler and Healthcare Assistant, CareerPass, Whose Future Is It?), Social Skills, and Health. Software and Apps include PixWriter (a talking word processor with 10,500 automatic picture-word matches), GoTalk DESIGN & CONNECT overlay creation software with 12,000+ built-in symbols, and Laureate Learning's language intervention suite incorporating the Sterling Administration System (unified student data) and Optimized Intervention (adaptive content delivery). Assistive Technology Devices include GoTalk Connect (a mid-tech AAC device with rechargeable battery, Bluetooth/USB connectivity, and 120 minutes of recording time) and GoTalk 20+ Lite Touch. Products are delivered across Windows, Mac, iOS, and web platforms.

The revenue model combines one-time perpetual licenses for curriculum kits and hardware devices ($70-$1,399 per product), annual web-based subscriptions licensed per classroom, hardware sales for AAC devices, and licensing/reproduction rights including international publishing. Distribution runs through direct e-commerce (attainmentcompany.com), phone/fax purchase orders, a US/Canadian dealer network, an international dealer channel, and Apple App Store distribution. Marketing combines an annual print/PDF catalog (2025-26 edition), email newsletters, a state-standards alignment search tool, account management webinars, and the Attainment-Browder Curriculum Fund. The company is pursuing SOC2 Type 2 compliance via SecureFrame to support institutional procurement, and maintains ongoing research partnerships including a federally-funded collaboration with the University of North Carolina-Charlotte that produced the Early Literacy Skills Builder.

Name

Attainment Company

Legal name

Attainment Company, Inc.

Website

https://attainmentcompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Attainment Company is an independent, family-owned publisher and online retailer (founded 1979, Verona, Wisconsin) that develops and sells research-based special education curricula, adaptive software, and assistive technology devices to K-12 schools, transition programs, adult services providers, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Curriculum and Assistive Technology

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology-Enabled Instructional Content (AAC, Switch, Eye-Gaze Compatible) (EDAGAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Functional Life Skills & Transition-to-Adulthood Curriculum (ADL, Vocational, Community) (EDAGAMAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), AT for Reading, Writing & Learning (Literacy/Executive Function) Tools & Training (EDAKAIAC)

Keywords

• Special education curriculum
• Assistive technology devices
• AAC communication devices
• Transition education programs
• Educational publishing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Verona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Curriculum Products: Physical and digital curriculum materials for special education including Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Literacy, Life Skills, Work Skills, Arts, and Transition programs. Sold as Curriculum and Curriculum Plus kits with varying component quantities.
2. Software and Apps: Downloadable software and apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and web-based platforms. Includes one-device licenses with options for site and district licenses. Web-based subscriptions licensed per classroom with one teacher account.
3. Assistive Technology Devices: AAC devices including GoTalk communication devices, GoTalks, GoNow iPad cases, Attainment Talkers, and communication aids sold as hardware products.
4. Training and Professional Resources: Training videos, professional development materials, standards alignment resources, and classroom accessories.
5. Licensing and Reproduction Rights: Special school or district licenses for book reproduction rights. PDF files included with many publications allow teachers to print specific pages. International publishing licenses available for languages other than English.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Attainment Company publishes and sells research-based educational curricula, software, and assistive technology hardware for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. Its portfolio includes K-12 special education curriculum kits across math, science, ELA, social studies, literacy, life skills, and work skills; transition curricula for ages 14-22; AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices such as GoTalk; and adaptive software (PixWriter, GoTalk DESIGN & CONNECT, Laureate Learning language software) for Windows, Mac, iOS, and web.

Product overview

Attainment Company offers a comprehensive educational product portfolio focused on serving students with disabilities and special needs. The company provides a diverse mix of curriculum products (math, science, English Language Arts, social studies, literacy, life skills, work skills, social skills, health, and transition curricula), technology products (AAC communication devices like GoTalk Connect and GoTalk 20+ Lite Touch, software applications like PixWriter and GoTalk DESIGN, and Laureate Learning language development software), and training resources. Core curriculum offerings include the BIG Science series, Explore Math Series, Focus Series, and Career Pathways Toolkits for vocational training. The technology portfolio centers on assistive communication devices and adaptive learning software. Products are sold as individual titles or in Curriculum Plus configurations that bundle additional workbooks, materials, and web-based subscriptions. The company operates primarily as a direct-to-consumer and institutional seller, with products designed for special education, transition, and adult services settings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MYSELF: My & Your Social Emotional Learning Foundations A social emotional learning curriculum focused on foundational SEL skills for students with disabilities, sold as a kit for special education classrooms.
• Hands-On Math 2: Second Edition A hands-on mathematics curriculum for secondary students with disabilities, using tactile manipulatives and structured lesson kits.
• Independent Reading Skills Builder (IRSB) A multi-year reading curriculum for students with moderate-to-severe disabilities, organized into Learning to Read and Reading to Learn programs aligned with the science of reading.
• BIG Science A comprehensive science curriculum for grades 6-12 emphasizing Blended, Integrated, and Guided instruction with hands-on application, covering Earth science, life science, and physical science.
• Career Pathways Toolkit: Food Handler A career preparation curriculum covering food handler certification with 7 instructional modules including Food Hazards, Personal Hygiene, Time & Temperature, and Hands-On Practice.
• Career Pathways Toolkit: Healthcare Assistant An assessment-driven curriculum preparing learners for healthcare careers with 7 instructional modules covering Standard Precautions, Medication Administration, Personal Care, Housekeeping, Nutrition, Professionalism, and Hands-On Practice including CPR training.
• GoTalk Connect A rechargeable, battery-operated mid-tech AAC device with interchangeable grids, Bluetooth/USB connectivity, 120 minutes of recording time, and up to 250-message capability for non-verbal students.
• PixWriter A talking picture and word processor for Windows, Mac, iPad, and web that helps students write independently by combining 10,500 pictures automatically matched to words with highlighted text and speech output.
• GoTalk DESIGN & CONNECT An overlay creation software with over 12,000 built-in symbols and images from Attainment curriculum, allowing creation of overlays for GoTalk devices, communication boards, calendars, and personal planning documents on Windows, Mac, and web.
• Laureate's English Language Series A language development series based on Laureate software including First Words, First Words II, First Verbs, and Simple Sentence Structure for students with special needs and English learners.
• Courseware Online Learning Platform Web-based online courses covering standards-based concepts in Earth science, life science, chemistry, biology, American democracy, and world history with multimedia format and alternate levels for symbol supports.
• Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) for Older Students An age-appropriate, early literacy curriculum for older students with significant intellectual disability or autism featuring Sam Stories, seven progressive levels of instruction, and blended software/app/print activities — the first scientifically-based reading program for this population to incorporate the National Reading Panel's five key components.
• Whose Future Is It? A research-based curriculum for adolescents to learn self-determination and self-awareness, facilitating active student participation in creating their IEP with 15 chapters covering decision making, problem solving, and IEP meeting skills.
• Explore Chemistry Curriculum A grade-aligned chemistry course for grades 9-12 covering composition of substances, properties, and reactions with 12 chapters of instruction, hands-on learning, and integrated software.
• Focus Series Curriculum A comprehensive life skills program with four titles (Focus on Work, Focus on Community, Focus on Safety, Focus on Feelings) for transition students, featuring real-life photos, Student Readers, and Student Workbooks.
• CareerPass An educational game developed by Project SEARCH students teaching career readiness through collecting 10 career tool tokens from 10 city locations via an interactive board game.

Quantifiable outcome

• First scientifically-based reading curriculum for students with intellectual disability or autism incorporating National Reading Panel's five key components of reading instruction

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Laureate Learning SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationLaureate Learning Systems is the leading developer of language intervention software for learners with intellectual disability or autism. Their programs combine foundational research, clinical experience, and extensive field testing. Attainment distributes Laureate software products including Sterling Administration System (SAS) and Optimized Intervention technology, researched extensively through NIH grants.
• Slater-SunCastle TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationSlater-SunCastle Technology develops assistive technology software resources for parents and teachers, including PixWriter - a talking picture and word processor that helps students write independently by combining symbol support with highlighted text and speech. Attainment partners to distribute PixWriter Software.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Don Johnston Incorporated: Assistive technology company developing literacy, reading, and writing support tools for students with disabilities. Direct overlap with Attainment's PixWriter writing software and reading/literacy curriculum products targeting similar special education use cases.
• Pro-Ed: Special education publisher offering assessments, curricula, and intervention materials for students with disabilities and learning challenges. Direct overlap with Attainment's special ed curriculum and transition product lines serving the same K-12 special education buyers.
• Really Great Reading: Publisher of evidence-based reading intervention curricula aligned with science of reading research. Directly competes with Attainment's Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) and Independent Reading Skills Builder for similar literacy intervention budgets in special education.
• PRC-Saltillo: Manufacturer of AAC devices and language apps under the Prentke Romich Company and Saltillo brands, serving individuals with complex communication needs. Competes head-to-head with GoTalk devices in school and clinical AAC procurement.
• AbleNet: Assistive technology and special needs product company offering switches, communication devices, and classroom learning tools. Overlaps with Attainment's GoTalk, Attainment Talkers, and assistive technology hardware portfolio serving similar special education buyers.
• Tobii Dynavox: Global leader in AAC devices and assistive communication hardware/software, including eye-gaze technology. Directly competes with Attainment's GoTalk AAC product line for the same speech-language pathologist and special education budgets.

Broad incumbents

• School Specialty: Major K-12 educational supplies distributor with dedicated special education product category serving schools and districts nationwide. Competes on the supplies/retailer dimension of Attainment's online catalog but at considerably broader scale.
• Cambium Learning Group: Large educational services and curriculum company spanning intervention, assessment, and special education (Learning A-Z, Voyager Sopris, Lexia). Operates as a broader incumbent overlapping with Attainment's curriculum and intervention offerings but at significantly greater scale.

Emerging players

• Smartbox Assistive Technology: Software-led AAC company offering Grid communication software and eye-gaze systems for non-verbal individuals. Adjacent competitor to Attainment's AAC hardware given convergence toward software/platform-based communication solutions.

Regional players

• Bridges Canada (Canadian Dealers network competitor): Canadian special education product and assistive technology distributor serving schools and therapy providers in Canada. Comparable to Attainment's Canadian dealer channel but focused on Canadian-only market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AttainmentCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/AttainmentCompany

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Attainment Company