What Jacob's Ladder does

Jacob's Ladder is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Roswell, Georgia, that provides neurodevelopmental therapy and education for neurodiverse children — including those with autism, genetic syndromes, brain injuries, and relational disorders — along with support for their families. The organization delivers services through three institutional programs: The Ladder school, Hope School, and the Compass transition program, supplemented by in-center therapy, in-home programs, and remote coaching. Clinical offerings include qEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, and developmental assessments conducted by NCBC-certified practitioners.

The organization's core intellectual property is the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care (IWBMC), a proprietary methodology grounded in 1,000+ assessment metrics and a library of 4,000+ therapeutic activities accumulated across 27 years of clinical practice. This methodology is codified in AHAVA, a software platform that delivers the framework to external practitioners and schools. Jacob's Ladder also operates the Ascend Training Institute, which issues NCBC certification and licenses the IWBMC methodology to outside clinicians, schools, and universities, creating a credentialing and licensing ecosystem around its clinical IP.

Jacob's Ladder runs a diversified nonprofit revenue model spanning tuition from its accredited school programs, AHAVA software subscriptions, NCBC certification and training fees, and philanthropic donations. Distribution includes a direct delivery hub in Roswell, GA, an expanding affiliate school network, and university partnerships that embed IWBMC training into academic curricula. The organization holds Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation for the 2026-2027 academic period, supporting credit transferability for enrolled students.

Name

Jacob's Ladder

Legal name

The Jacob's Ladder Group

Website

https://jacobsladdercenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Jacob's Ladder is a Roswell, GA-based nonprofit founded in 1998 that provides neurodevelopmental therapy, accredited school programs, and the proprietary AHAVA software platform for children with autism and related disorders, monetizing via tuition, software subscriptions, and professional certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurodevelopmental Therapy and Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism & Neurodevelopmental Early Intervention Programs (EDACAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Spectrum (ASD) Academic & Social-Communication Support Tutoring (EDANAFAD), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Severe Behavior Treatment & Crisis/De-escalation Services (ABA) (EDAKAHAK), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)

Keywords

• Neurodevelopmental therapy
• Autism therapy services
• QEEG brain mapping
• Therapeutic education programs
• Caregiver training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Roswell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

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. School Tuition Programs: Tuition-based educational programs including Ladder Program, Hope School Program, and Compass Program offered on campus for children with neurodevelopmental challenges.
2. Professional Training and Certification: On-campus and remote training programs for professionals, families, and organizations to learn and implement the IWBMC methodology. Certification available through NCBC.
3. AHAVA Software Platform: Comprehensive software platform subscription for trained professionals to evaluate clients, design programs, and implement therapeutic strategies.
4. Caregiver Training: Training programs for caregivers to implement the Model of Care in home settings.
5. Donations and Charitable Giving: Donation programs including General Fund, Client Tuition Assistance, Therapeutic Programs, Ascend Training Institute, Pillar Research Institute, and World Impact Project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jacob's Ladder delivers neurodevelopmental therapy and special education services for children with autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, genetic syndromes, intellectual/developmental delays, learning differences, and emotional-behavioral-relational challenges. Services are organized around its proprietary IWBMC™ (Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care) methodology and delivered through on-campus school programs (Ladder, Hope School, Compass), in-home and remote therapy, and the AHAVA integrated care software platform, supplemented by professional training, caregiver training, and NCBC certification.

Product overview

Jacob's Ladder offers a multi-component therapeutic and educational ecosystem centered on its proprietary IWBMC™ (Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care®) methodology, which is grounded in neuroplasticity science and delivered through a combination of software (AHAVA platform), school programs (Ladder, Hope, and Compass), in-home/remote services, and professional training. The AHAVA software platform enables evaluation, program design, and therapeutic strategy implementation, while the Ascend Training Institute and NCBC certification provide professional development pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AHAVA: Integrated care software solution for evaluating clients, designing individualized programs, and implementing therapeutic strategies. Also refers to a client/parent portal for record access.
• IWBMC (Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care)
• Ascend Training Institute
• Pillar Research Institute

Products and services

• IWBMC™ (Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care) Proprietary, trademarked systematic whole-person, whole-brain therapeutic methodology grounded in neuroplasticity science; incorporates qEEG brain mapping analysis, 1,000+ assessment metrics, and 4,000+ corresponding activities to build customized programming for each client's unique needs. Delivered through intensive, interpersonal therapeutic environments.
• AHAVA Integrated Care Software Platform First-of-its-kind integrated care software solution that enables trained professionals to evaluate clients, design individualized programs, and implement therapeutic strategies using the IWBMC framework. Includes an AHAVA Parent Portal for client record access. Available by subscription to professionals.
• Ladder Program Tuition-based on-campus school program offering neurodevelopmental therapy services for children with neurodiverse needs, using the IWBMC methodology.
• Hope School Program Tuition-based specialized school program serving children with autism, brain injury, and emotional-behavioral-relational challenges.
• Compass Program Tuition-based school program providing therapeutic and educational support for neurodiverse children using the IWBMC methodology.
• In-Home and Remote Services Therapeutic services delivered in the client's home or remotely via telehealth, using the IWBMC methodology.
• IWBMC Evaluation Comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation using qEEG brain mapping and the IWBMC assessment framework (1,000+ metrics) to create individualized plans of care.
• Ascend Training Institute Professional training division offering on-campus and remote training opportunities in the IWBMC methodology for therapists, clinicians, educators, families, and organizations.
• Caregiver Training Training program enabling caregivers to implement IWBMC techniques in the home environment to sustain client progress.
• NCBC Certification in the IWBMC Professional certification in the IWBMC methodology offered through the National Certification Board of Coaches (NCBC).
• Affiliate School Program Affiliate program enabling partner schools to open using the Jacob's Ladder model and methodology, or to integrate IWBMC into their current program.
• Pillar Research Institute Research division producing case studies and white papers to validate and advance the IWBMC methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children achieving developmental milestones (walking, talking, jumping, running) that were not expected possible by medical professionals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Narwhal Capital ManagementminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026CEO Amy O'Dell discussed Jacob's Ladder Group's scalable model of care on Narwhal Capital Management's Morning Market Briefing, providing visibility to investor and business community.
• NCBC (National Certification Board of Coaches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCBC provides certification for professionals trained in the IWBMC methodology. Certification validates professional competency in implementing the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care.
• SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAIS membership and accreditation for 2026-2027. Indicates adherence to standards for independent schools and professional development opportunities.
• Koberda NeurologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Lucas Koberda, M.D., Ph.D. has provided endorsement of Jacob's Ladder's comprehensive approach, noting the integration of neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) with therapeutic interventions as remarkable.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cortica: Cortica is a multi-state autism and neurodevelopmental care provider combining ABA, developmental therapy, and medical services under an integrated model; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a similarly integrated neurodevelopmental therapy provider targeting the same families with autistic and developmentally diverse children.
• May Institute: May Institute is a nonprofit organization providing services for individuals with autism, brain injury, and developmental disabilities across school, residential, and clinical settings; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a similarly structured nonprofit offering school programs, clinical services, and professional training for the neurodiverse population.
• LEARN Behavioral: LEARN Behavioral is a national network of autism and behavioral health providers delivering ABA-based therapy to children with autism; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder in targeting the same neurodiverse pediatric population through center-based individualized treatment plans.
• Hopebridge: Hopebridge is a multi-site autism therapy provider delivering ABA, occupational, speech, and diagnostic services to children with autism; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder in serving neurodiverse pediatric populations through center-based and telehealth delivery with a focus on individualized programming.
• Behavioral Innovations: Behavioral Innovations is a multi-state ABA therapy provider operating autism centers focused on early intensive behavioral intervention; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a similarly center-based, intensive-therapy provider serving young children with autism and developmental delays.
• Trumpet Behavioral Health: Trumpet Behavioral Health provides ABA therapy and autism services across multiple states through center-based and home-based programs; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a similarly branded, multi-site provider of intensive autism and developmental therapy for children.
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): CARD is one of the largest ABA therapy organizations in the U.S., providing center-based and home-based autism services; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a scaled, branded provider of intensive therapeutic programming for children on the autism spectrum and with related developmental conditions.

Emerging players

• Firefly Autism: Firefly Autism is a smaller, specialized ABA provider in the Western U.S. offering center-based autism therapy and family support services; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a regionally focused provider of intensive individualized therapy for children with autism, though smaller in scale.

Others

• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is a large autism advocacy and research organization that funds research, drives awareness, and connects families to services; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder only in serving the same autism community, but its advocacy/research focus differs from Jacob's Ladder's direct-service therapy model.

Broad incumbents

• Bancroft: Bancroft is a large, established nonprofit providing residential, educational, and therapeutic services for individuals with autism, brain injury, and intellectual disabilities; it is comparable to Jacob's Ladder as a broader-scale nonprofit incumbent serving overlapping neurodevelopmental diagnoses with school and clinical programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JacobsLadderSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jacob's-ladder
• Instagraminstagram.com/TheJacobsLadderGroup
• Xx.com/JacobsLadder407

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Jacob's Ladder