The Council for Autism Service Providers and ABA Centers Celebrate Milestone at NYSE Closing Bell

Council of Autism Service Providers and ABA Centers at NYSE

On December 24, 2024, the Council for Autism Service Providers (CASP) and ABA Centers made headlines by ringing the iconic Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This partnership not only honors the impressive strides made by ABA Centers, but also sheds light on the vital importance of quality autism care across the country.

CASP, the leading organization for autism service providers, recognized ABA Centers as the fastest growing autism care provider in the nation. The bell-ringing ceremony was led by CASP's CEO, Lorri Unumb, and ABA Centers' Founder and Chairman, Christopher Barnett, alongside his daughter, Madison Mulvey. The event coincided with an early market close in anticipation of the Christmas holiday, marking a significant moment for both organizations.

A Personal Journey

Christopher Barnett's inspiration for founding ABA Centers is deeply personal. After witnessing the struggles his daughter, Madison, faced with a misdiagnosis and inadequate care, he felt compelled to act. His experiences highlighted the severe gaps in autism care services – lengthy waitlists, insufficient diagnostic options, and a scarcity of effective treatments.

With a commitment to creating a mission-driven organization, Barnett leveraged his extensive background in healthcare entrepreneurship to fill these gaps. ABA Centers arose from the desire to provide compassionate, accessible, and data-driven autism support. Barnett stated, "I hope that the sound waves of this bell ringing transcend the trading floor and serve as a rallying call for quick, compassionate, and top quality autism care across our country."

Milestones of ABA Centers

In 2024, ABA Centers celebrated notable achievements that underscore their determination to improve autism care. Most notably, they were recognized on Inc.'s annual list as the No. 5 fastest growing private company in America, boasting a staggering revenue growth of 32,192% over three years. This rapid expansion is a testament to their unique strategy, which emphasizes self-funding and sustainability without heavy reliance on private equity or debt financing.

Christopher Barnett’s exceptional leadership earned him the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Overall Award. This accolade was awarded by an independent panel of judges who recognized his innovation in transforming ABA Centers into a leader in the sector.

Expanding Reach

The organization's impact is not limited to accolades; ABA Centers has expanded its footprint significantly along the East Coast and initiated growth into western regions, offering quality autism care in 34 service markets across 10 states. This expansion includes 26 operational care centers, with plans to open an additional 40 locations in the coming year, drastically reducing wait times for families seeking services.

As highlighted during the bell-ringing ceremony, the collaboration between CASP and ABA Centers serves as a platform to amplify their message of better autism care. Unumb stated, "This bell ringing ceremony offers a platform to amplify our message and highlight the importance of autism care, as well as the challenges faced by the autism community."

The Road Ahead

With the ringing of the bell at the NYSE, both CASP and ABA Centers aim to inspire other stakeholders within the autism care ecosystem. They encourage decision-makers and investors to consider ways to positively influence the landscape of autism services, as countless children remain on waitlists desperately needing access to the care they require.

For more details about ABA Centers and their transformative approaches to autism care, individuals can visit their official website at www.abacenters.com.

Also, for those looking to understand how CASP is setting industry standards in autism service provision, more information can be found at www.CASProviders.org.