EARLY START AUTISM

What EARLY START AUTISM does

Early Start Autism, operating under the legal name Early Start and Thrive, is a privately held early-intervention applied behavior analysis (ABA) practice founded in 2014 by Melissa K. Burkhardt, M.S. Ed., BCBA. The firm serves children with autism spectrum disorder (primarily ages 0–8, with new-client intake capped at age 6), social communication delays, and behavioral challenges, primarily in Northern Palm Beach County and Martin County, Florida. Service delivery is naturalistic and family-centered, provided in the child's home, preschool, summer camp, or community settings, with telehealth extending reach beyond the local geography.

The clinical offering is built on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a naturalistic behavioral therapy that integrates a relationship-focused developmental model, complemented by Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and broader ABA methods. Core products include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, ESDM therapy, Parent Coaching (in-person and via telehealth), and Early Intervention programming. Operational technology consists of the Rethink Behavioral Health platform, used for session data collection, daily session notes, and a secure parent portal exposing progress graphs and training videos, together with standard video-conferencing tools for telehealth delivery.

Early Start Autism operates on a recurring monthly billing model funded through three channels: insurance reimbursement (in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna, plus out-of-network agreements with additional carriers), Florida's Gardiner Scholarship / Personalized Learning Student Account (PLSA), and private pay. The firm uses a sales-led go-to-market anchored by a free 25-minute initial consultation, supported by educational webinars by the founder, local earned media, and referral partnerships with insurance carriers, FAU CARD, My Allie's Place, and local preschools. The practice is intentionally small (approximately nine employees, including four BCBAs, one BCaBA, and additional RBTs and student analysts), positioning itself as a high-touch, specialized alternative to scaled ABA providers.

Name

EARLY START AUTISM

Legal name

Early Start and Thrive

Website

https://earlystartautism.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Early Start Autism (legal: Early Start and Thrive) is a Florida-based ABA therapy practice founded in 2014, specializing in Early Start Denver Model intervention for children with autism ages 0–8. It delivers in-home, community-based, and telehealth services, billing primarily through Aetna, BCBS, and Cigna.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism & Neurodevelopmental Early Intervention Programs (EDACAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Therapy (ABA/ESDM/Positive Behavior Support) (EDACAFAE), Early Intervention ABA (Birth–3) (EDAKAHAD), Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism early intervention
• Early Start Denver Model
• ABA therapy services
• Parent coaching autism

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Billing - In-Network: In-network provider for Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. Submits covered claims on behalf of clients.
2. Insurance Billing - Out-of-Network: Frequently able to reach out-of-network agreements with insurance companies, covering services as in-network when agreements are reached.
3. Gardiner Scholarship: Approved provider for Gardiner Scholarship (PLSA) for special needs students in Florida.
4. Private Pay: Private pay rates available for families without insurance coverage or scholarship eligibility. Contact for information about private pay rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Early Start Autism provides individualized early-intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) to children ages 0–8 with autism, social communication delays, or behavioral challenges, delivered in-home, in preschools, in community settings, or via telehealth. The practice also offers Parent Coaching and training so caregivers can implement evidence-based strategies in daily routines, and bills insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna plus out-of-network agreements), the Florida Gardiner Scholarship, and private pay.

Product overview

Early Start Autism operates as a specialized early intervention practice offering a coordinated suite of services centered on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The core offerings include ABA Services (naturalistic therapy programs), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) therapy, Parent Coaching, and ABA Telehealth. These services work together to provide comprehensive, individualized care from naturalistic early intervention through school success, with services delivered in-home, in-community, or via telehealth. The company primarily serves children ages 0-8 years with autism or developmental challenges, emphasizing family involvement and evidence-based practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services Naturalistic, evidence-based ABA therapy programs delivered in-home and in-community settings to increase social behaviors, language/communication skills, play and social skills, and emotional regulation while reducing problem behaviors; addresses feeding issues, potty training, and sleep issues and includes parent training/coaching for families of children with autism.
• Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Therapy Naturalistic behavioral therapy integrating a relationship-focused, developmental model based on current autism and brain development research; the only comprehensive, evidence-based therapy specific for children with autism 12–48 months of age, promoting normal brain and behavioral development through intensive teaching during natural routines.
• Parent Coaching Coaching and training that equips parents with tools to handle challenging behaviors, implement naturalistic ABA in their child's daily routines, better understand their child, and strengthen connection; delivered in-person and via telehealth.
• ABA Telehealth Remote delivery of ABA services using computers, smartphones, and tablets for real-time training, consultation, and service delivery across geographical distances; coaches parents on utilizing evidence-based teaching strategies while interacting with their child.
• Early Intervention Services Coordinated early-intervention services for children with autism and challenging behaviors, typically serving children ages 0–8 years, delivered in natural environments including home, preschool, summer camp, and community settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10+ points higher IQ gains than control group in ESDM research
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• My Allie's PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with My Allie's Place to offer an ESDM Parent Coaching Scholarship. Provides financial assistance to families seeking ESDM parent coaching services. Application available through My Allie's Place website.
• Rethink Behavioral HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationState-of-the-art secure online platform used for data collection, daily session notes, training, and parent portal access. Parents can view child's progress graphs, daily session notes, and helpful training videos through this platform.
• Gardiner Scholarship (PLSA)coreOthersApproved provider for the Gardiner Scholarship (PLSA), Florida's program for students with special needs. Allows eligible families to use scholarship funds for Early Start Autism services.
• Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa K. Burkhardt presents statewide trainings for CARD. Serves on the CARD Little Owls Advisory Board. Collaborates with FAU CARD on task force initiatives.
• Cigna InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented for Cigna Insurance's Autism Expert Series as a subject matter expert. In-network provider status for Cigna health insurance plans.
• Local Preschools and ProgramsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuilt working relationships with local preschools, programs, and classes that welcome clients and support staff. Helps place children in inclusive settings with necessary support.
• Florida Atlantic University (FAU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Carli Legambi part of FAU CARD ASD and Mental Health Task Force.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BlueSprig Pediatrics: One of the largest US operators of ABA therapy clinics for children with autism. Highly comparable to Early Start Autism because both deliver naturalistic, evidence-based ABA in clinic and home settings with similar payer mix and similar age range of children served, though at vastly greater scale.
• Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers: Multi-state operator of ABA centers serving children with autism, including early intervention. Comparable in service mix (ABA, parent coaching, center-based plus home-based delivery) and payer relationships, but operates at significantly greater scale than Early Start's boutique practice.
• Centria Healthcare: National provider of ABA therapy for children with autism, including home-based and center-based delivery and family training. Closely comparable in clinical methodology (ABA, naturalistic, parent coaching) and payer-funded revenue model.
• Behavior Frontiers: ABA provider delivering in-home and clinic-based autism services with a focus on individualized programs. Direct peer given similar home/community-based delivery model, insurance billing, and family-centered positioning.
• Trumpet Behavioral Health: Multi-state ABA provider serving children with autism via early intervention, center-based, and home-based models. Comparable in clinical approach (ABA, naturalistic teaching, parent involvement) and insurance-funded revenue model.
• Autism Learning Partners: ABA provider delivering in-home, center-based, and telehealth autism services across multiple US states. Closely comparable service mix including parent coaching and naturalistic ABA, with similar payer-funded economics.
• Caravel Autism Health: Multi-state operator of ABA clinics specializing in early intervention for children with autism. Directly comparable given shared focus on young children, in-network insurance model, and family-centered ABA delivery.
• Behavioral Innovations: Regional ABA provider with home- and center-based autism services and early intervention focus. Comparable service portfolio, payer mix, and family-coaching offerings; larger in scale than Early Start.

Emerging players

• Soar Autism Center: Newer ABA and early intervention operator applying naturalistic, play-based, ESDM-adjacent methodologies for children with autism. Comparable methodology and customer profile but operating at earlier growth stage with center-based rather than in-home delivery model.
• AnswersNow: Telehealth-first ABA platform delivering parent-mediated intervention and 1:1 coaching for families of children with autism. Comparable to Early Start's telehealth parent-coaching arm and overlapping customer segment, with a technology-enabled, non-clinic delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 EARLY START AUTISM