PALS
PALS (Pacific Autism Learning Services) is a private, clinician-owned ABA therapy provider serving children and young adults with autism across four Northern California clinics and in-home/community settings, with a core focus on early intensive behavioral intervention reimbursed through insurance and healthcare network referrals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersRoseville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What PALS does
PALS (Pacific Autism Learning Services) is a private, founder-led provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy founded in 2005 and headquartered in Roseville, California. The company serves children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder, with a primary focus on preschool-age children receiving Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment (EIBT). Services are delivered across four Northern California clinic locations (San Mateo, Roseville, Rancho Cordova/Gold River, and Elk Grove) and in naturalistic settings including homes, preschools, parks, and community environments, designed to promote generalization of communication, social, self-help, and adaptive skills.
PALS's service portfolio spans Early and Intensive ABA, Peer Socialization Groups (Game Club), Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), Focused Behavioral Interventions, Independent Behavioral Evaluation, and Professional Staff Development training. The clinical methodology is grounded in peer-reviewed ABA research (Lovaas, McEachin, Howard et al.) and led by senior clinicians with decades of tenure, including Dr. Gregory Buch (Ph.D., BCBA-D, 40 years in ABA, UCLA-trained) and Mary Marquardt (MA, BCBA, 30 years). Independent surveys across a network of 90+ ABA agencies in Northern California rank PALS as having the best client goal attainment and a 98% annual client retention rate.
The business model is fee-for-service clinical delivery reimbursed primarily through insurance plans and healthcare networks, including the Alta California Regional Center. PALS operates as a direct service provider with no disclosed parent company, private equity sponsor, or external funding rounds; the company is owned and operated by its clinicians. Customer acquisition is driven by a combination of healthcare provider referrals, regional center referrals, an active content marketing presence (website, parent education hub, Instagram), and thought leadership (e.g., the Boost U podcast appearance). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined through individualized assessment and insurance authorization, with treatment intensity ranging from 1-2 hours per week (focused cases) to 20-40 hours per week (intensive early intervention).
PALS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PALS
- Legal name
- Pacific Autism Learning Services
- Website
- https://palsautism.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PALS (Pacific Autism Learning Services) is a private, clinician-owned ABA therapy provider serving children and young adults with autism across four Northern California clinics and in-home/community settings, with a core focus on early intensive behavioral intervention reimbursed through insurance and healthcare network referrals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PALS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy Services
- NAICS
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Child and Youth Services (62411), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ABA Therapy Providers (Home-Based) (EDAKAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Early Intervention ABA (Birth–3) (EDAKAHAD), ABA Assessment & Diagnostic Support (Functional Assessments, VB-MAPP/ABLLS-R) (EDAKAHAE), Parent/Caregiver Training & Family Consultation (ABA) (EDAKAHAG)
Keywords
Where PALS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roseville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
PALS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- ABA Therapy Services: Fee-for-service ABA therapy billed to insurance providers. PALS provides direct behavioral support for children with autism, with services including early intensive intervention, peer socialization groups, behavioral evaluations, and professional development training. Treatment is provided in children's real-world environments and billed based on service hours delivered.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Insurance-funded ABA therapy with individualized treatment plans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
PALS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PALS provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services for children with autism, with a primary focus on Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment (EIBT) for preschool-age children. Services are delivered in children's real-world environments (homes, preschools, community settings) and supplemented by peer socialization groups, naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, focused behavioral interventions, independent behavioral evaluations, and professional staff development training. Treatment is billed primarily through insurance reimbursement with individualized treatment plans.
Product overview
PALS (Pacific Autism Learning Services) is a behavioral therapy service provider offering a unified portfolio of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism. The company operates as a single-service organization with multiple service lines rather than a software platform. The core offerings include Early and Intensive ABA (the primary service), Peer Socialization Groups (Game Club), Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), Focused Behavioral Interventions, Independent Behavioral Evaluation, and Professional Staff Development. Services are delivered at four clinic locations in Northern California (San Mateo, Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove) and in children's real-world environments including homes, preschools, and community settings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Early and Intensive ABA (Early and Comprehensive ABA) Early Intensive Behavioral Therapy (EIBT) for preschool-age children with autism, providing individualized programs addressing communication, self-help skills, preschool integration, peer socialization, community skills, safety skills, self-advocacy skills, and reduction of maladaptive behaviors. Services are delivered in real-world environments including homes, preschools, grocery stores, parks, and peers' homes.
- Peer Socialization Groups - Game Club Structured peer socialization program where kids and teens play games with peers to learn and practice social skills. Treatment goals are individualized to address perspective taking, assertiveness, body language, nonverbal communication, and collaborative group work.
- Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) Naturalistic behavioral interventions that focus on building skills through child-selected, intrinsically-rewarding activities and materials. Can be used as components of comprehensive programs or independently to work on building specific skills.
- Focused Behavioral Interventions Short-term, focused interventions for children and young adults needing help with specific behavior issues including aggression, self-help and hygiene skills, social skills, job skills, assertiveness, and personal advocacy skills.
- Independent Behavioral Evaluation Expert independent behavioral evaluations for families, school districts, and funding agencies, ranging from functional behavior assessments (FBAs) addressing specific problem behaviors to overall reviews of children's current behavioral support services and needs.
- Professional Staff Development Professional training services for staff ranging from entry-level behavioral technicians to MA- and Ph.D.-level clinicians, educators, and researchers. Topics include Fundamental Behavioral Teaching Procedures, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Behavior Reduction Procedures, Standardized Assessments for Children with Autism, History of the Autism Diagnosis, and Interpreting Outcome Research.
Quantifiable outcome
- Best client goal attainment levels in a network of over 90 ABA agencies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PALS
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PALS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
PALS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PALS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit delivering autism services, early intervention, and disability support across a broad portfolio; comparable end-customer (children with autism and families) but operates at much greater scale and scope.
Direct peers
- InBloom Autism Services: Multi-state ABA provider offering center-based and home-based early intensive behavioral intervention; directly comparable clinical model and payor relationships.
- Centria Healthcare: Large PE-backed ABA and applied behavior analysis provider serving children with autism across multiple states; represents the consolidated-capital competitor PALS explicitly differentiates against.
- LEARN Behavioral: National ABA provider delivering early intensive behavioral intervention, diagnostic services, and parent training; overlaps with PALS across core clinical offerings and payor channels.
- Acorn Health: Multi-state ABA provider specializing in center-based and in-home early intensive intervention for children with autism; comparable clinical methodology, payer model, and growth profile.
- May Institute: National nonprofit provider of ABA, educational, and clinical services for children and adults with autism; comparable EIBT methodology and clinical-research orientation.
- Kadiant: ABA therapy provider operating multiple California clinics serving children with autism; competes directly with PALS in Northern California for clients, BCBA talent, and insurance referrals.
- Trumpet Behavioral Health: ABA provider delivering early intensive behavioral intervention and school-based services for children with autism; closely aligned service mix and insurance-funded revenue model.
- Autism Learning Partners: Multi-state ABA provider offering center-based and in-home early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism; closely comparable service model and payor mix to PALS.
Emerging players
- Cortica: Integrated neurodevelopment provider combining ABA, speech, OT, and medical services for children with autism; emerging care-delivery model that overlaps with PALS's behavioral-therapy focus while expanding into adjacent disciplines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PALS social profiles
Digital presencePALS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PALS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
PALS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PALS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PALS
What does PALS do?
PALS provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services for children with autism, with a primary focus on Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment (EIBT) for preschool-age children. Services are delivered in children's real-world environments (homes, preschools, community settings) and supplemented by peer socialization groups, naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, focused behavioral interventions, independent behavioral evaluations, and professional staff development training. Treatment is billed primarily through insurance reimbursement with individualized treatment plans.
Is PALS a public or private company?
PALS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PALS founded?
PALS was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PALS based?
PALS is headquartered in Roseville, United States, in the North America region.
How does PALS make money?
One revenue line is on record: ABA Therapy Services.
Who are PALS's main competitors?
Easterseals is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are InBloom Autism Services, Centria Healthcare, LEARN Behavioral, Acorn Health, May Institute, Kadiant, Trumpet Behavioral Health and Autism Learning Partners. Cortica is listed as an emerging player.
Does PALS have an API?
No public API is recorded for PALS.
What industry is PALS in?
PALS's product category is Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAHAB, ABA Therapy Providers (Home-Based), with a secondary code of EDAKAHAD, Early Intervention ABA (Birth–3). Its NAICS code is 621420 and its SIC code is 8000.