Asociația Help Autism

What Asociația Help Autism does

Asociația Help Autism is a Romanian nonprofit association founded in 2010 and headquartered in Bucharest, dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. The organization operates 8 therapy centers across Romania — in Bucharest, Suceava, Târgoviște, Drobeta Turnu Severin, and Cluj-Napoca — through a hybrid model combining directly-operated facilities, six public-private partnerships with DGASPC (General Directorates of Social Assistance and Child Protection), and a newly launched social franchise channel. Clinical service delivery spans ABA therapy, speech therapy, sensory integration, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy, supplemented by a mobile home-visit team, inclusive camps, and adolescent/adult transition programs (Help Home Victoriei, Help Hire, Body Moves the Brain). Since founding, the organization reports supporting 3,600+ children and youth and training 3,200+ teachers and specialists through its HelpEdu platform, supported by a clinical workforce of approximately 103 therapists.

The organization's technology footprint centers on two proprietary digital platforms: AutismON, which provides resources and tools for specialists, organizations, and families working with ASD, and HelpEdu, an accredited online education platform offering courses on inclusion, behavioral intervention, psychological assessment, and behavior management. A more recent initiative — the ANPDPD-funded project launched in August 2025 — has integrated 3D and AI tools into occupational therapy workshops, representing the organization's first explicit move into technology-augmented clinical delivery. Core therapy delivery, however, remains therapist-led rather than AI-native.

Help Autism is funded through four revenue streams: individual donations (3.5% income tax redirection via Form 230, SMS shortcode 8844, online card payments processed by EUPLATESC.RO, Direct Debit), corporate philanthropy (20% corporate income tax redirection, supported by a dedicated corporate fundraising team), government co-funding through DGASPC PPPs, and platform commission revenue from Formular230.ro, which redirected over 65 million lei to NGOs across the Romanian nonprofit sector in 2025. The organization is registered as a public utility social services provider (CIF RO 26590428), is GDPR-compliant, and operates under a board-supervised governance model with founder-president Daniela Bololoi and a CXO team covering therapy, communications, finance, HR, operations, and development.

Name

Asociația Help Autism

Legal name

Asociația Help Autism

Website

https://helpautism.ro

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Asociația Help Autism is a Romanian nonprofit founded in 2010 that operates eight therapy centers and six public-private partnerships delivering ABA therapy, speech therapy, and related services to children with autism and their families across Romania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Therapy and Support Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Sensory & Occupational Support (School-Based) (EDAKAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

Keywords

• Autism therapy services
• ABA behavioral intervention
• Special education support
• Developmental therapy centers
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

București

HQ country

Romania

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations (Persoane Fizice): Help Autism accepts donations from individuals through online card payments (via EUPLATESC.RO), SMS (code 8844), bank transfer, Direct Debit, and Form 230 (3.5% income tax redirection). These donations fund therapy programs, center operations, and family support.
2. Corporate Philanthropy (Persoane Juridice): Companies can redirect 20% of their corporate income tax to Help Autism, make retroactive redirections, bank transfers, and engage through corporate fundraising team (Marina Tase, Măriuca Radu, Alina Negraia).
3. Public-Private Partnership Funding: Government co-funding through 6 public-private partnerships with DGASPC (General Directorates of Social Assistance and Child Protection) in various sectors and counties. Therapy services are partially or fully subsidized through these agreements.
4. Formular230.ro Platform Revenue: Help Autism operates the Formular230.ro platform which redirects 3.5% of individual income tax to NGOs. Over 65 million lei was redirected through the platform in 2025. This platform serves as both a service and a revenue stream for the organization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Asociația Help Autism delivers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, speech therapy, sensory integration, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through eight directly operated therapy centers and mobile home-visit teams across Romania. The organization complements therapy services with the HelpEdu online course platform, the AutismON digital platform, inclusive camps, the Help Home adolescent transition program, the Help SENZO sensory program, and the Body Moves the Brain adapted sports program.

Product overview

Help Autism operates as an integrated autism services organization offering both physical therapy centers and digital platforms. The core offering consists of 8 therapy centers (Help Autism Centers in Bucharest, Suceava, Târgoviște, and Drumul Taberei) providing ABA therapy, speech therapy, sensory integration, and psychotherapy. Digital products include AutismON (a digital platform for professionals and families) and HelpEdu (an education platform for psychology and autism training). The organization also offers complementary services including mobile team home visits, inclusive camps, the Help Home Victoriei adolescent program, Clubul Help SENZO sensory program, and Body Moves the Brain adapted sports program. Supporting infrastructure includes Formular230.ro for tax redirection donations and a digital guide for seniors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HelpEdu: Online education platform developed by Help Autism offering courses on psychology, inclusion of persons with ASD, behavioral intervention, psychological assessment and behavior management, taught by accredited trainers.
• AutismON
• Formular230.ro
• Help Family
• Help SENZO
• Body Moves the Brain
• Help Home
• Help Hire

Products and services

• Help Autism Therapy Centers
• Mobile Team Services (Echipa Mobilă)

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,600+ children and adolescents supported since founding in 2010
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Clinica MedMindminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2025Partnership providing 35 free places for parental counseling and psychotherapy, supported by Clinica MedMind.
• DGASPC Sector 3 (Direcția Generală de Asistență Socială și Protecția Copilului Sector 3)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing public-private partnership for operating the Casa Soarelui center and other services. DGASPC provides facilities and partial funding while Help Autism provides trained staff and therapeutic programs. This is the oldest and most significant government partnership.
• DGASPC Sector 4coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for operating therapy centers and providing autism services in Sector 4 of Bucharest.
• DGASPC Sector 6coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for operating therapy centers and providing autism services in Sector 6 of Bucharest.
• DGASPC SuceavacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Centrul Suceava, opened in 2016 as continuation of a public-private partnership established in 2013 under the 'Și ei au dreptul la viață' project. 30 children receive free therapy at this center.
• DGASPC MehedințicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for operating the Centrul Sf. Andrei in Drobeta Turnu Severin. The center can receive up to 30 children per day with interventions provided by 6 ABA specialists.
• DGASPC DâmbovițacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for autism therapy services in Dâmbovița county, specifically the Centrul de zi pentru copii cu autism și sindrom Down 'Sfânta Maria' in Târgoviște.
• DGASPC Cluj-NapocacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for autism therapy services in Cluj-Napoca. Help Autism provides training and therapeutic supervision.
• Autism EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelp Autism is a member of Autism Europe, a prominent European association working to advance the rights of people with autism. This membership provides international recognition, networking, and best practice sharing.
• Institutul ABA RomâniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelp Autism is a member of the ABA Institute Romania and co-organizer of the International ABA Conference. This partnership ensures the organization stays at the forefront of ABA therapy methodology and practice in Romania.
• Clusterul pentru Sănătate și Biochimie ROHEALTHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelp Autism is a member of the ROHEALTH Cluster for Health and Biochemistry, indicating involvement in the broader healthcare and biotech ecosystem in Romania.
• RO TSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRO TSA (Registry of Autism Spectrum Therapists) is a partner in the 'Autismul nu are culoare politică' advocacy campaign, working together on autism policy and recognition issues.
• FEDRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Autismul nu are culoare politică' advocacy campaign, contributing to policy advocacy for people with autism.
• Autism VoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Sunt terapeut. Vreau să fiu recunoscut' campaign (with Institutul ABA România and Autism Voice), advocating for therapist recognition.
• Primăria BucureșticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBucharest City Hall provided a larger space for the Centrul Eminescu in 2022, enabling the center to serve more children. The city also supports other Help Autism initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Largest US autism advocacy and services organization funding research, advocacy, and family services. Comparable as a high-profile national brand combining service delivery, family support, and policy campaigns — the same combination that distinguishes Help Autism in Romania.
• National Autistic Society: UK's leading autism charity operating services, training, and a helpline. Comparable as a national-scope autism organization combining therapy services, parent support, training, and policy advocacy similar to Help Autism's full-stack model.
• Autism Europe: Brussels-based pan-European association advancing rights of people with autism, of which Help Autism is a member. Comparable as the international umbrella setting the agenda and best-practice frameworks that Help Autism localizes in Romania.
• Autism Society of America: US grassroots autism organization with affiliate chapters delivering local services and advocacy. Comparable to Help Autism in mission structure (chapter-style local delivery plus national advocacy) and in operating a network of services for individuals with ASD.
• Easterseals: Large US nonprofit network delivering therapy, early intervention, and disability services through local affiliates. Comparable as an established multi-site service operator with therapy, training, and family support — the same multi-site delivery model Help Autism is replicating in Romania.

Direct peers

• Fundația Romanian Angel Appeal: Major Romanian nonprofit operating social and health programs including services for children with autism and special needs. Comparable to Help Autism as a similarly scaled Bucharest-based nonprofit delivering therapy and inclusion services in Romania.
• ABA Institute Romania (Institutul ABA România): Romanian professional ABA organization and co-organizer of the International ABA Conference with Help Autism. Directly comparable as it sets ABA methodology standards and credentials the same therapist pool that Help Autism employs across its centers.

Emerging players

• AANE (Asperger/Autism Network Education): US New England–based nonprofit offering lifespan services, education, and support for autistic individuals. Comparable as a mid-sized advocacy-plus-service organization combining therapy referrals, parent/professional training, and community programs — a similar service mix to Help Autism at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/helpautism.ro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@helpautism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asociatia-help-autism

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Asociația Help Autism