Stiftung Kind und Autismus

What Stiftung Kind und Autismus does

Stiftung Kind und Autismus is a Swiss non-profit foundation (Stiftung) headquartered in Urdorf, Canton Zurich, operating for approximately 50 years as a competence center for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. The foundation delivers integrated educational, residential, therapeutic, and advisory services through three sites in Urdorf, with a state-recognized Type B special school (Sonderschule) of 56 places serving students aged 4-20 with autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairment, supplemented by supervised living (Betreutes Wohnen) with 16 places across two residential groups, an autism-specific transport service (Fahrdienst), supplementary day structure, and a counseling center (Beratungsstelle) offering social-pedagogical family support. Its workforce of approximately 120 employees delivers individualized education in structured classroom settings of 4-5 students per class, using evidence-based methodologies including TEACCH, Supported Communication, the Affolter Model, and Banking Time, alongside speech, occupational, and psychomotor therapy.

The foundation's portfolio extends beyond direct care to include professional training (Kurswesen), a multi-cohort Diplomlehrgang credentialing program for autism specialists, an annual Autismus Forum conference (800+ participants in 2024), and an e-commerce online shop selling specialized communication and sensory aids. Service delivery is supplemented by a network of strategic partnerships with Universitätsspital Zürich, autismus schweiz, and therapeutic-riding providers, alongside a diversified donor coalition including Markus Kaufmann-Stiftung, Lions Club chapters, UBS Helpetica, and Microsoft Schweiz.

The revenue model is non-profit and multi-source: government contributions from federal (Bund), cantonal (Kantone), and municipal (Gemeinden) authorities fund core services under the supervision of the Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich; parents and course participants pay fees for school, care, and training programs; charitable donations (ZEWO-certified, tax-deductible above CHF 100) supplement funding for programs not covered by public subsidies such as therapeutic riding and the Elektro-Tandem mobility project; and online shop sales contribute a smaller recurring stream. Annual audits are conducted by KPMG AG, and the foundation operates under a Board of Trustees (Stiftungsrat) of at least five members including up to two parent representatives.

Name

Stiftung Kind und Autismus

Legal name

Stiftung Kind und Autismus

Website

https://kind-autismus.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stiftung Kind und Autismus is a ~50-year-old Swiss non-profit foundation based in Urdorf, Canton Zurich, operating as a competence center for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, delivering integrated special education, supervised living, counseling, professional training, and specialized retail services across three local sites with ~120 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Autism Support Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Educational Support Services (611710), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Autism support center
• Supported living care
• Professional autism training
• Therapeutic services

Headquarters

HQ city

Urdorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Financing through contributions from federal (Bund), cantonal (Kantone), and municipal (Gemeinden) government bodies. The Sonderschule and Betreutes Wohnen are under the supervision of the Bildungsdirektion des Kantons Zürich.
2. Parent and Course Fees: Parents pay fees for school and care services. Course fees charged for training programs and continuing education offerings.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation is non-profit and depends on donations to fund projects not covered by public funding, such as therapeutic riding (heilpädagogisches Reiten). ZEWO-certified organization.
4. Online Shop Sales: Sale of specialized products for people with autism including communication materials, sensory items, and educational tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stiftung Kind und Autismus is a Swiss non-profit competence center in Urdorf (Canton Zurich) providing holistic autism-specific services including a state-recognized special school (56 places), supervised residential living (16 places), transportation, counseling, family support, early intervention, professional training and diploma programs, and an online shop selling specialized autism aids. The foundation operates as an integrated service organization using evidence-based methodologies such as TEACCH, Supported Communication, the Affolter Model, and Banking Time.

Product overview

Stiftung Kind und Autismus operates as a comprehensive autism competency center offering an integrated portfolio of educational, residential, therapeutic, and advisory services for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. The core offerings include the Sonderschule (special school with 56 places), Betreutes Wohnen (supervised living with 16 places), Fahrdienst (transport), and Ergänzende Tagesstruktur (day care). Complementary services include Beratungsstelle (advisory/consulting), Kurswesen (training courses including diploma programs), and an Online Shop selling specialized autism aids (communication materials, sensory products, time management tools). The organization also hosts the annual Autismus Forum conference. Services span from early intervention through adolescence, with the goal of self-determination and social participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sonderschule (Special School) State-recognized special school (Typus B) with 56 places for children and adolescents aged 4-18 (max. 20) with autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairment, offering education from kindergarten through secondary level with integrated speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, and occupational therapy.
• Betreutes Wohnen (Supervised Living) Residential care service with 16 places across two living groups in Urdorf, where children and adolescents can stay 1-4 nights per week, with additional holiday weeks and weekend offerings to support independence in daily living.
• Fahrdienst (Transport Service) School transportation service bringing students safely to and from school, with drivers trained in autism care and vehicles meeting legal safety standards.
• Ergänzende Tagesstruktur (Supplementary Day Structure) Day care program available to students outside regular school hours, providing additional supervision and structured activities.
• Beratungsstelle (Advisory Services) Consulting and support services for individuals with autism, families, professionals, and the general public, including social-pedagogical family support (SPF), individual and group offerings, and tailored further education.
• Kurswesen (Training Programs) Further education, training, and lectures organized for professionals from education, therapy, and medicine; for individuals with autism; and for parents and caregivers living or working with people on the autism spectrum, including diploma programs.
• Diplomlehrgang (Diploma Program) Professional diploma programs titled 'Fachperson für Menschen im Autismus-Spektrum' (Specialist for People on the Autism Spectrum) and 'Fachperson Betreuung von Menschen im Autismus-Spektrum' (Care Specialist for People on the Autism Spectrum).
• Online Shop / Hilfsmittelshop E-commerce platform selling specialized products for people with autism including communication aids (PECS folders, Starter Packages), sensory products (chewing necklaces, Happy Senso Gel), time management tools (Time Timers), and structural materials (velcro tapes and dots).
• Frühförderung (Early Intervention) Early childhood support services for young children on the autism spectrum and their families.
• Heilpädagogisches Reiten (Therapeutic Riding) Therapeutic horseback riding program funded through donations, providing relationship-building with horses, grooming, and gentle riding for children and adolescents with autism at partner horse farm Haldenhof in Aesch.

Quantifiable outcome

• External evaluation by Fachstelle für Schulbeurteilung confirms: 'Lehr- und Fachpersonen gelingt es ausgezeichnet, auf die individuellen und fachlichen Bedürfnisse der Kinder und Jugendlichen einzugehen.' Parents report transparent and accessible information practices.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• autismus schweiz (as)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the annual Autismus Forum. autismus schweiz is the Swiss autism advocacy organization. Joint organization of major professional conference featuring international experts like Tony Attwood.
• Universitätsspital ZürichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporter of the 19th Autismus Forum 2024. Academic medical center providing expertise and backing for professional conference.
• Organizers Schweiz GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent organization support for the Autismus Forum 2024. Professional event management services.
• SwissSkills Supporter Club and National TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity project partners who built garden facilities including barefoot path, tipi, seating, communication boards, and drawing wall at foundation's Kessler location.
• Haldenhof (Aesch)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorse farm partnership for therapeutic riding. Iceland horses with gentle temperament ideal for therapeutic work. Riding therapy focuses on relationship building, grooming, leading, and gentle riding.
• Bibliothek UrdorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for inclusive picture book afternoons where children with and without autism explored communication forms together. Library now has communication boards available.
• Pro InfirmisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on video portrait featuring Matthias Huber, autism advisor at foundation, for awareness campaign on autism visibility in society.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Autistic Society (NAS): UK-based national charity for autism providing education services, residential care, training, and advocacy. Comparable in integrated service model (school + residential + training + certification), at much greater scale and with a more mature national brand.
• Pro Infirmis: Switzerland's largest disability advocacy and service organization. Comparable as a national-scale operator in the Swiss disability space, already collaborating with the foundation on awareness campaigns; broader scope but overlapping beneficiary population.
• Marcus Autism Center: US-based major pediatric autism center affiliated with Emory University, offering clinical care, education, and research programs. Comparable as a comprehensive autism-specific center combining school, therapy, and family services at meaningful scale.

Regional players

• Heilpädagogische Schule Luzern: Special-education school in Canton Lucerne serving children with developmental disabilities including autism. Comparable in service type (Sonderschule with therapy integration) but operates in a different Swiss canton with its own Bildungsdirektion framework.

Others

• Stiftung Wunderlampe: Swiss foundation fulfilling wishes for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Comparable as a Swiss charity in the special-needs space and existing partner ('Wunschkarten-Aktion'), though its mission is wish fulfillment rather than educational services.

Direct peers

• Stiftung Schulheim Rossfeld: Swiss foundation operating a special school and residential services for children and adolescents with disabilities in Bern, including autism-specific programs. Directly comparable in operating model (Sonderschule + Wohnen + Therapie), canton-level government oversight, and non-profit foundation structure.
• Stiftung Heilpädagogisches Zentrum Hagenwil: Swiss foundation providing residential and educational services for children and adolescents with cognitive and developmental disabilities, including autism. Comparable as a multi-service special-education foundation with cantonal recognition.

Emerging players

• Autismus Schweiz: National Swiss advocacy and umbrella organization for autism. Comparable because it is a primary partner in the Autismus Forum and operates in the same Swiss autism ecosystem, though it focuses on advocacy rather than direct service provision.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stiftungkindundautismus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftungkindundautismus
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiftungkindundautismus

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Stiftung Kind und Autismus