What 1-Step Ahead ABA does

1-Step Ahead ABA is a family-owned Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The company delivers evidence-based behavioral intervention to children and individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across San Diego and Riverside Counties, using techniques such as discrete-trial teaching, natural environment teaching, errorless teaching, shaping, and differential reinforcement. Its service portfolio spans Early Start Services (ages 0-3), In-Home ABA, Center-Based ABA, School-Based Services, Behavior Respite, Toilet Training, Sleep Training, Behavior Consultation, and year-round Day Camps located in Escondido. Delivery modalities include in-home, school-based, center-based, and telehealth settings, allowing the company to meet families where intervention is most effective.

The business operates primarily on a recurring reimbursed-services model. The majority of clinical services are billed through in-network contracts with commercial insurers (Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, MHN, United Behavioral Health) and Medi-Cal plans (Molina, CHG), supplemented by San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) vendor funding for Early Start, Over 3, Behavior Consult, and eligible day camp participants. A private-pay professional-services stream covers families seeking behavior modification, family training, and assessments outside funded channels, and a unit-priced day camp stream ($450/week at 4:1 ratio; $625/week at 1:1 ratio) provides supplementary direct revenue.

The company's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, relying on its website inquiry form (which captures insurance and scheduling details), phone/text outreach, and organic social presence to convert families. Leadership is anchored by Founder and Executive Director Jackie Behic (MA, BCBA) and Clinical Director Alex Bell, supported by a bench of BCBA and BCaBA supervisors with 5-25+ years of experience. The company remains privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, M&A activity, or funding rounds.

Name

1-Step Ahead ABA

Website

https://1stepaheadaba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

1-Step Ahead ABA is a family-owned Applied Behavior Analysis therapy provider founded in 2014, serving children with autism and developmental disabilities across San Diego and Riverside Counties through in-home, center-based, school-based, telehealth, and day camp programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and Developmental Disability Therapy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

ABA Therapy Providers (Home-Based) (EDAKAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

ABA Therapy Providers (Clinic-Based) (EDAKAHAA), ABA Therapy Providers (School-Based) (EDAKAHAC), Early Intervention ABA (Birth–3) (EDAKAHAD)

Keywords

• ABA therapy services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism therapy
• Early intervention services
• Behavioral health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Escondido

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Insurance: Reimbursed ABA therapy services through in-network commercial insurance plans including United Behavioral Health, Cigna, Anthem, MHN, and Aetna.
2. Medi-Cal/Government Insurance: ABA therapy services covered through Medi-Cal plans including CHG (Community Health Group) and Molina. Single Case Agreements obtained when needed.
3. San Diego Regional Center: Early start services, Over 3 services, and behavior consult services funded through San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) for individuals with developmental disabilities.
4. Private Pay: Fee-for-service model for families seeking professional expertise from BCBAs including in-home behavior modification, family training, functional behavior assessments, school consultation, sleep training, and toilet training support.
5. Day Camp Services: Year-round camp programs with 4:1 ratio ($450/week) and 1:1 ratio ($625/week) for children ages 3-18. SDRC funding available for eligible clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

1-Step Ahead ABA is a family-owned Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider delivering evidence-based, individualized intervention services to children and individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Services are delivered in home, school, center, and telehealth settings across San Diego and Riverside Counties, and include early intervention, behavior consultation, respite, toilet training, sleep training, and day camp programs funded through insurance, Medi-Cal, SDRC, and private pay.

Product overview

1-Step Ahead ABA is a family-owned Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of services for children with autism and developmental disabilities. The company operates as a unified service delivery platform centered on evidence-based ABA therapy, with distinct service lines including Early Start Services (birth to age 3), In-Home ABA Services, Center-Based ABA Services, School-Based Services, Behavior Respite, Toilet Training, Sleep Training, Behavior Consultation, and Day Camps. All services utilize ABA teaching techniques including discrete-trial teaching (DTT), natural environment teaching (NET), errorless teaching, shaping, and differential reinforcement. The company has been operating since 2014 and serves clients across San Diego and Riverside County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ABA Therapy Applied Behavior Analysis therapy providing a research-based approach to teaching socially meaningful behaviors through positive reinforcement, structured guidance, and individualized support for children and families affected by autism and developmental disabilities.
• Early Start Services (Under Age 3) Early intervention ABA services for children aged 0-3 years delivered through the San Diego Regional Center, covering cognition, social/play skills, self-help, physical development, communication, and challenging behavior.
• In-Home ABA Services ABA therapy delivered in the child's home environment to build communication, social, and daily living skills in the setting where the child feels safest and most comfortable.
• Center-Based ABA Services Structured ABA therapy in a supportive center environment designed to help children build communication, social, and daily living skills through individualized and group-based learning.
• School-Based Services Behavior support services provided within school settings across San Diego and Riverside County districts, including IEP process assistance and classroom behavioral intervention.
• Behavior Respite Specialized temporary care services providing relief for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, using ABA-based strategies and individualized behavior support plans.
• Toilet Training Guided support to help children build independence and confidence in using the bathroom through structured routines, positive reinforcement, and personalized ABA-based strategies.
• Sleep Training Gentle, structured ABA-based approach to help children develop healthy sleep habits and learn to fall asleep independently, addressing challenges such as frequent night waking.
• Behavior Consultation Expert guidance services for parents and caregivers to understand and manage challenging behaviors without one-on-one ABA, including personalized strategies and practical recommendations.
• Day Camps Year-round camp programs combining ABA strategies with recreational activities for children and teens ages 3-18, offered as daytime camp and after-school camp with 4:1 ($450/week) and 1:1 ($625/week) counselor ratios, located at 148 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• San Diego Regional Center (SDRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner1-Step Ahead is a vendor of the San Diego Regional Center, providing Early Start services for children 0-3, Over 3 Services, Behavior Consult services, and day camp programs. SDRC funding fully covers registration fees for eligible camp participants. The company guides families through the SDRC authorization process.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Lighthouse Autism Center: ABA provider with a multi-setting service model and center-based programs for children with autism. Comparable clinically and operationally to 1-Step Ahead, though primarily operating in the Midwest.

Direct peers

• Behavioral Innovations: Multi-state ABA provider delivering center-based and home-based services for children with autism. Comparable in clinical methodology, payer mix, and core customer segment.
• Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers: Multi-state ABA provider delivering center-based, home-based, and telehealth autism services. Comparable service portfolio and target demographic to 1-Step Ahead, with overlapping payer-mix strategy.
• BlueSprig Pediatrics: Large national ABA therapy provider offering center-based and home-based services for children with autism. Directly comparable to 1-Step Ahead's core service model, but operating at significantly greater scale with PE backing.
• Proud Moments ABA: ABA provider offering home-based and center-based services for children with autism across multiple states. Directly comparable service mix and payer-reimbursement model.
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): One of the largest U.S. ABA providers offering in-home, school-based, and center-based autism services. Directly comparable in clinical methodology and patient population to 1-Step Ahead.
• ACES ABA: Western U.S. ABA provider with a multi-setting service model (home, school, center, telehealth). Closely comparable to 1-Step Ahead's delivery approach and California/West Coast footprint.
• Autism Learning Partners: West Coast-focused ABA provider offering home-based, center-based, and school-based services. Directly comparable to 1-Step Ahead's geographic concentration and service-line breadth.

Broad incumbents

• LEARN Behavioral: National ABA network providing home-based, center-based, and school-based services. Comparable core offering to 1-Step Ahead with significantly broader geographic reach and operating scale.
• Cortica: Integrated developmental services provider combining ABA with neurology, occupational, and speech therapies. Comparable in that ABA is a core service line serving children with autism, but Cortica operates a broader care model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1-step-ahead-aba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 1-Step Ahead ABA