What Autism Partnership Foundation does

Autism Partnership Foundation (APF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Seal Beach, California, dedicated to advancing quality, evidence-based interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder through research, professional training, and consultation. Founded by Drs. Ron Leaf and John McEachin — veterans of Ivar Lovaas's UCLA Young Autism Project — APF is led operationally by Co-Directors of Research Dr. Justin Leaf, Dr. Joe Cihon, and Dr. Julia Ferguson. The foundation serves three primary constituencies: Applied Behavior Analysis professionals (RBTs, BCBAs, and supervisors), families of children diagnosed with ASD, and research institutions or funders, with secondary operations spanning California, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

The foundation's product and platform surface centers on a Kajabi-based learning management system delivering over 111 CEU products (1-hour, 0.5-hour, ethics, supervision, and audio courses), the free 40-hour RBT training and free RBT exam prep (now RBT 2.0 meeting BACB's 2026 requirements), the 8-hour Supervision Training, and the It Has To Be Said podcast (which itself carries CEU credit). Adjacent offerings include APF Parent Training, the APF Stories community platform, and a research participation infrastructure. Delivery extends through telehealth for clinical interventions and through Behavior Live for the annual APF Conference (11th edition scheduled April 24, 2026). APF's hallmark methodology, Progressive ABA, and its proprietary Autism Partnership Method — including techniques such as the Cool versus Not Cool Procedure — form the technical backbone, supported by an empirical research record averaging 10 peer-reviewed articles annually and over 300 international presentations.

APF operates a hybrid revenue model spanning both nonprofit and commercial mechanics: recurring donations through the Partnership for Progress program at $12 per month, one-time and planned giving via Classy.org, AmazonSmile affiliate giving, sponsored research at $7,000 per full study or $4,000 for open-access publication, unit-priced CEU courses, insurance reimbursements for clinical services, and consultation/expert-witness fees. Distribution is globally self-serve through owned digital storefronts, with no enterprise sales motion and no named institutional customer concentration.

Name

Autism Partnership Foundation

Legal name

Autism Partnership Foundation

Website

https://autismpartnershipfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Autism Partnership Foundation is a Seal Beach, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis training (free 40-hour RBT program, 111+ CEU courses), research, telehealth clinical services, and an annual conference for behavior analysts, families of children with ASD, and research funders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Intervention Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK)

Keywords

• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism intervention services
• Behavior technician training
• Continuing education courses
• Autism research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seal Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course and CEU Sales: Sale of continuing education units (CEUs) for behavior analysts and related professionals. Over 111 products including 1-hour courses, 0.5-hour courses, ethics, supervision, and audio content.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation support. Includes Partnership for Progress monthly giving program at $12/month, one-time gifts, DAF direct gifts, and planned giving options.
3. Sponsored Research: Funding from individuals, companies, and organizations to partially or fully fund specific studies. Payment structure: $7,000 for full funding, $3,500 for partial funding, $4,000 a la carte for open access publication.
4. Clinical Services and Consultation: High-quality clinical services for autistic children, consultation services, and expert witness work in legal cases.
5. Insurance Payments: Revenue from insurance payments for clinical services provided to children with ASD.
6. AmazonSmile Partnership: APF receives up to 4% of purchases made through AmazonSmile when users select APF as their charity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Autism Partnership Foundation is a nonprofit that delivers a comprehensive educational and training portfolio for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community. Its core offerings include free Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification training (40-hour course plus exam prep), a library of 111+ continuing education (CEU) courses for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), an annual conference, a parent training masterclass library, the It Has To Be Said (IHTBS) podcast, sponsored research studies, and clinical ABA intervention services delivered on-site and via telehealth.

Product overview

Autism Partnership Foundation offers a comprehensive educational and training platform focused on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for autism spectrum disorder. The core offering includes a free 40-hour RBT Training program with accompanying exam prep, professional CEU courses for BCBAs (111 products covering Learning, Ethics, Supervision, and Audio categories), and the It Has To Be Said (IHTBS) podcast. The portfolio extends to the annual APF Conference, parent training masterclasses, funded research studies, and community events like Autism Night Out. The organization promotes Progressive ABA methodology as its definitive standard, utilizing intervention methods such as the Cool versus Not Cool procedure. Services are delivered primarily through Kajabi-based learning management systems for online courses and Behavior Live for conference streaming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Progressive ABA™: A behavior analytic treatment approach developed and promoted by APF, focused on advancing effective methodology and improving outcomes for individuals with ASD.

Products and services

• Free 40-Hour RBT Training Comprehensive 40-hour training course for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) meeting BACB requirements; current RBT 2.0 version meets the 2026 BACB 3rd edition RBT Test Content Outline and includes closed captions.
• APF's FREE RBT Exam Prep Questions Free exam preparation tool featuring over 250 questions with video explanations, designed to help candidates prepare for the RBT certification exam.
• RBT Professional Development Units (PDUs) Free professional development units for RBTs to maintain their certification, delivered via the APF learning management system.
• CEU Courses Continuing Education Unit courses for BCBAs and other professionals covering Learning, Ethics, Supervision, and Audio content; 111 products ranging from 0.5-hour to 1.5-hour modules.
• 8 Hour Supervision Training Paid training course providing 8 hours of instruction on supervision skills for BCBAs who supervise RBTs and trainees.
• It Has To Be Said (IHTBS) Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Drs. Justin Leaf and Joe Cihon discussing applied behavior analysis and autism intervention topics; episodes offer CEUs to subscribers.
• Annual APF Conference Annual conference (currently in its 11th year, scheduled April 24, 2026) bringing together distinguished ABA and ASD experts for education, discussion, and reflection; available in-person and via livestream on Behavior Live.
• APF Parent Training Online parent training masterclass library equipping families of children with ASD with practical tools and knowledge to support their child's growth and development.
• Fund a Study Program Sponsored research program letting individuals, companies, and organizations partially or fully fund specific autism research studies; $7,000 full funding, $3,500 partial funding, $4,000 a la carte open-access publication.
• Partnership for Progress (Monthly Giving Program) Recurring monthly donation program ($12.00/month) launched in 2025 that funds APF's high-quality intervention, online trainings, and research mission.
• Clinical ABA Services ABA clinical services delivered to children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, addressing social behavior, language/communication, challenging behaviors, and adaptive living skills on-site and via telehealth.
• Expert Witness and Consultation Services Consultation work and expert witness services provided by APF leadership in legal cases involving autism intervention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70.3% of children achieved best outcome when ABA services were provided early, intensive (10-40 hours/week), by quality therapists, with individualized programming
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AmazonSmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAPF partners with AmazonSmile, receiving up to 4% of the cost of all purchases made through smile.amazon.com when users select APF as their designated charity.
• Behavior LivecoreTechnology or IntegrationBehavior Live hosts APF's annual conference and provides the livestream platform for the 11th Annual Conference 2026 and future conferences.
• Watersafe SwimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPast sponsor of APF events and programs.
• California State University, Long BeachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner and sponsor of APF events and programs.
• FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPast corporate sponsor of APF.
• Ra YogaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPast event sponsor of APF.
• Fusion AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast partner of APF.
• Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPast sponsor of APF events.
• AES (Applied Engineering Systems)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPast sponsor of APF.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Special Learning: Special Learning sells online ABA training, RBT 40-hour courses, and continuing education to behavior analysts. It is the most directly comparable company to APF on the ABA professional-training/CEU side, competing for the same RBT/BCBA spending pool.
• May Institute: May Institute is a national nonprofit providing ABA clinical services, special-education schools, and adult services for individuals with autism. Like APF, it blends clinical services, professional training, and ongoing research under a single nonprofit mission.
• Hopebridge: Hopebridge is a multi-state ABA clinical-services provider employing hundreds of BCBAs and RBTs. Its large clinical workforce is a direct consumer of the same RBT training, supervision CEU, and conference products that APF monetizes.
• Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI): ABAI is the international scientific and professional society for behavior analysis; it runs annual conferences, publishes research, and offers CEU events. Like APF, it sits at the intersection of ABA research, professional training, and conference-based community building.
• Centria Autism: Centria Healthcare delivers clinical ABA services in multiple states for children with ASD. The RBT/BCBA workforce it employs represents the same target customer as APF's training, CEU, and conference offerings.
• Blue Sprig Pediatrics (formerly CARD): Blue Sprig Pediatrics operates one of the largest US networks of ABA clinical service centers under the former CARD brand, providing clinical ABA to thousands of children. Its clinical-services and research footprint overlaps with APF's clinical-services and research-publishing activities.
• Behavior Live: Behavior Live is an online platform dedicated to behavior analysis conferences, workshops, and CEU content. APF already partners with Behavior Live for its annual conference; Behavior Live competes for the same online ABA professional-events audience.

Broad incumbents

• PESI: PESI is a broad healthcare and behavioral-health continuing-education provider across many disciplines. PESI competes for the same BCBA/RBT CEU spend on overlapping ethics, supervision, and clinical content, but does so as part of a much wider CEU portfolio rather than as an ABA specialist.
• Autism Society of America: The Autism Society is a national autism nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and community resources. It overlaps with APF on the nonprofit autism-support side, competing for donors and for family-facing educational content.
• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is one of the largest US autism-focused nonprofits, raising hundreds of millions for research, advocacy, and family services. APF competes with Autism Speaks for the same donor base, family audience, and research-funding attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ProgressiveABA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutismPartnershipFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/progressiveABA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Autism Partnership Foundation