National Autism Center at May Institute

What National Autism Center at May Institute does

The National Autism Center at May Institute is a nonprofit research and resource organization founded in 2005 and operated as a center within May Institute, headquartered in Randolph, Massachusetts. Its primary function is the systematic review and dissemination of evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anchored by the two-phase National Standards Project (NSP1 in 2009 and NSP2 in 2015), which evaluated hundreds of intervention studies using the Scientific Merit Rating Scale, Intervention Effects Ratings, and a Strength of Evidence Classification System. NSP2 notably expanded the evidence base to adults on the autism spectrum for the first time, identifying 14 Established Interventions for children/adolescents and 1 Established Intervention for adults.

The Center's product portfolio spans three categories: (1) research and standards outputs (the NSP reports); (2) publications and resources, including the newly launched 'Profound Autism: A Parent's Guide' (May 2025), the 'Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools' educator manual, parent guides, quick tips, and a webinar library; and (3) direct services, including autism schools, school consultation and educator training, adult day habilitation, and international consultation (delivered via the U.S. State Department Speaker Program in Oman and Dubai). It serves four primary customer segments — families of autistic individuals, educators and school professionals, practitioners/clinicians (applied behavior analysts, therapists), and policymakers/government — with no enterprise anchor customers and a heavily freemium delivery model.

Revenue mechanics combine publication sales (one-time licensing for premium reports and physical guidebooks), training and consultation fees (professional services), and donations/government support including beneficiary status in the U.S. Combined Federal Campaign. Distribution is multi-channel: a self-serve website and bookstore (global reach), in-school consultation (domestic), virtual consultation and on-demand webinars (global), and earned media coverage of CDC autism prevalence data and organization milestones. The organization has reached more than two million people with evidence-based information since founding, and tens of thousands of educator manuals have been distributed across the U.S. and internationally.

Name

National Autism Center at May Institute

Legal name

National Autism Center at May Institute

Website

https://nationalautismcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Autism Center at May Institute is a nonprofit that conducts systematic reviews of evidence-based autism interventions (National Standards Project) and disseminates publications, training, and consultation to families, educators, practitioners, and policymakers in the U.S. and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Education and Evidence-Based Practice Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Autism evidence-based practice
• Autism intervention research
• Applied behavior analysis services
• Autism education resources
• Special education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Randolph

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publications and Resource Sales: The Center sells publications including the National Standards Project reports and educator guidebooks through an online bookstore. Free downloads are available for some resources while premium reports require purchase or registration.
2. Training and Professional Development: The Center provides training programs, virtual consultation, and in-school consultation services for educators and practitioners on evidence-based autism interventions.
3. Advocacy and Awareness Services: As a nonprofit, the Center relies on donations and government support to advance its mission of disseminating evidence-based autism information and supporting families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Autism Center at May Institute disseminates evidence-based information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and provides related resources, training, consultation, and direct services. Its portfolio centers on the National Standards Project systematic reviews, parent and educator publications, professional training and consultation programs, autism schools, and adult services delivered as a Center within May Institute.

Product overview

The National Autism Center at May Institute operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its product portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) Research & Standards — the National Standards Project (NSP), a two-phase systematic review of autism interventions for children, adolescents, and adults, published in 2009 and 2015; (2) Publications & Resources — including the newly released 'Profound Autism: A Parent's Guide' (May 2025), the educator manual 'Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools,' Parent Guides, Quick Tips, and a library of live and on-demand webinars; and (3) Direct Services — Autism Schools, School Consultation & Educator Training, Adult Services, and International Consultation. The organization functions as a Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice within May Institute, disseminating knowledge rather than operating as a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Standards Project (NSP) A landmark research initiative providing the most comprehensive systematic review of evidence-based educational and behavioral interventions for ASD, published in Phase 1 (2009) and Phase 2 (2015). Identifies established, emerging, and unestablished interventions for children, adolescents, and adults with ASD.
• Profound Autism: A Parent's Guide A first-of-its-kind 170-page guidebook for families and caregivers of profoundly autistic children, offering evidence-based strategies for targeted interventions (communication, play, sensory differences, challenging behaviors, daily living skills, sleep, transitions) and family support (caregiver stress, safety, provider collaboration, medications).
• Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools (Educator Manual) A comprehensive manual for educators on implementing evidence-based practices for autism in school settings, with tens of thousands of copies downloaded or purchased. Second edition published in 2015, freely available for download.
• Parent Guide A free downloadable resource providing parents with practical guidance on autism-related topics, part of the broader Resource Library offering for families.
• Live Webinars and On-demand Webinars Webinar-based training programs for families and practitioners, covering autism-related topics and evidence-based practices. Available as live sessions and recorded on-demand content.
• Autism Schools Specialized school-based programs providing educational services for children with autism, located on May Institute's shared campus.
• School Consultation and Educator Training Virtual and in-person consultation services for schools and educators to implement evidence-based autism practices, including professional development and training programs.
• Adult Services Services for adults with autism and developmental disabilities, including day habilitation programs, aimed at promoting independence and quality of life across the lifespan.
• International Consultation Consultation and training services provided internationally, including participation in the U.S. State Department's Speaker Program for applied behavior analysis and autism training abroad.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2 million people have accessed evidence-based autism information from the National Autism Center
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Judith Ursitti (Profound Autism Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025Judith Ursitti, Cofounder and President of the Profound Autism Alliance, wrote the foreword for the National Autism Center's publication 'Profound Autism: A Parent's Guide', demonstrating collaborative authorship and shared mission focus on profoundly autistic individuals.
• Profound Autism AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025The Profound Autism Alliance is a network of partners focused on inclusive research and legislative changes to improve the lives of individuals with profound autism. The National Autism Center at May Institute worked with the Alliance to spearhead the effort for Massachusetts to recognize March 17, 2025 as Profound Autism Day, with advocacy efforts led nationally by the Profound Autism Alliance and taken up in Massachusetts by NAC. The Alliance's mission is to improve the health and connection of profoundly autistic individuals through inclusive research and focused advocacy.
• U.S. State DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The National Autism Center was selected to participate in the U.S. State Department's Speaker Program. The Center provided training and consultation in applied behavior analysis and autism spectrum disorder in Oman and Dubai through this international partnership, addressing needs in countries facing an autism 'tsunami.'
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership for conference 'Autism A-Z: Beyond the Puzzle' held in Wilmington, Delaware. The conference featured keynote address by May Institute's Chief Clinical Officer on evidence-based practices and the National Standards Project, Phase 2.
• U.S. Government Combined Federal CampaignminorOthers · 1 January 2014The National Autism Center was selected as a beneficiary of the U.S. Government's 2014 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the world's largest annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year for nonprofit organizations providing health and human service benefits.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: The largest U.S. autism advocacy and research nonprofit, comparable to NAC in mission (evidence dissemination, family support, policy) but with a vastly broader scope including research funding, advocacy, and a far larger donor base.

Direct peers

• Autism Society of America: A long-standing national nonprofit focused on autism education, advocacy, and connecting families to resources. Directly comparable to NAC in serving families, educators, and policymakers with evidence-based information and resources.
• Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT): A nonprofit dedicated to disseminating science-based information about autism treatment — the closest direct peer to NAC in mission, methodology, and audience (families, educators, practitioners seeking evidence-based interventions).
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Nonprofit that funds and disseminates applied autism research for families, educators, and practitioners — directly comparable in applying research to practice and producing publications for similar audiences.
• Autism Research Institute: Long-established autism research and dissemination nonprofit producing ratings of interventions and resources for parents and professionals. Closely comparable to NAC's evidence-synthesis work and family/practitioner audience.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: A large nonprofit behavioral health provider operating schools, residential, and community programs for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Directly comparable service portfolio and shares a conference/partnership relationship with NAC.
• Profound Autism Alliance: An advocacy and research nonprofit focused on the profound autism population — a current strategic partner of NAC. Comparable in mission overlap on evidence-based information and policy advocacy for a defined autism subpopulation.

Others

• May Institute: NAC's parent organization — operates 140+ programs, autism schools, adult day habilitation, and clinical services. Comparable in clinical and educational services mission but at vastly greater operational scale, with NAC serving as its research dissemination arm.

Regional players

• AANE (Asperger/Autism Network): A New England–based nonprofit providing education, support, and advocacy for autistic individuals and families. Comparable in mission and family/professional audience but with a primarily regional (U.S. Northeast) footprint.

Emerging players

• Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies: Nonprofit focused on disseminating behavior analysis science and evidence-based practice. Comparable to NAC in promoting ABA-based evidence for educators and practitioners, though with a broader behavioral-science lens.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Autism Center at May Institute