ABA Business News - March 24, 2025 As the founder of 3 Pie Squared, I am dedicated to supporting small ABA practices in delivering ethical, sustainable, and high-quality services. Recent developments in our field present both challenges and opportunities that we must navigate thoughtfully. 1. Motivity Secures $27 Million Growth Investment Motivity, a leading provider of clinical SaaS solutions for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers treating children with autism, has announced a $27 million investment from Five Elms Capital. This funding aims to advance innovation and scale operations, reflecting the growing interest in enhancing technological solutions within the ABA sector. Source: Motivity Announces $27M Growth Investment from Five Elms Capital to Advance Innovation and Scale Operations 2. Workforce Shortages in ABA The demand for skilled ABA professionals continues to outstrip supply, with a 14% increase in demand for individuals holding BCBA or BCBA-D certification from 2022 to 2023. Burnout among current staff further exacerbates retention challenges, emphasizing the need for practices to invest in technology and staff training to improve outcomes and streamline operations. Source: Key ABA Trends for 2025 Every Provider Should Know 3. Diversification in Autism Therapy Models The autism therapy industry, traditionally dominated by ABA, is witnessing a shift towards more diversified treatment approaches. Providers are increasingly integrating services such as speech, occupational, and physical therapies alongside ABA to offer a holistic, multidisciplinary care model. This trend aims to address the comprehensive needs of individuals with autism, moving beyond the conventional ABA-centric framework. Source: New Autism Therapy Models Gain Traction as Industry Diversifies 4. Projected Growth in the U.S. ABA Market The U.S. Applied Behavior Analysis market was valued at approximately $4 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% between 2024 and 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders and the rising adoption of ABA interventions across various age groups. Source: U.S. Applied Behavior Analysis Market Size | Growth Outlook 2032 5. Medicaid Funding Cuts in New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed state budget includes cuts to Medicaid funding for ABA therapy, despite an overall increase in the Medicaid budget. This decision could significantly impact low-income families' access to essential ABA services and poses a threat to the viability of small practices relying on Medicaid reimbursements. Advocacy for fair funding is crucial to ensure that vulnerable populations continue to receive necessary support. Source: Hochul's $252B state budget offers cash for unions - but cuts for autistic kids Need help? We’re here to support you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we have resources to guide you every step of the way. The ABA Business Start-Up List ABA Business Readiness Assessment Need a website, rate negotiations, or getting ready to get accredited? Get your staff a growth path to reduce turnover and build a sustainable, ethical practice. Handbooks for accreditation or an in-network audit With over 100 episodes—and now offering CEUs—our podcast is another great resource for growing and improving your ABA practice. Tune in to gain valuable insights, learn from industry leaders, and stay updated on the latest in ABA business. Check it out here: 3 Pie Squared Podcast.

When to Scale Your ABA Business: Insights from Local Owner Chris Robinson Scaling an ABA business is a complex process that requires balancing leadership, staffing, and client needs. In a recent episode of ABA Business Leaders, we sat down with Chris Robinson, owner of ABYAY, and Maria Zito, the director, to discuss the challenges of growth and how to know when it’s the right time to scale. Finding the Right Time to Grow Chris and Maria shared that successful growth in ABA isn’t just about adding more clients—it’s about ensuring that BCBAs, RBTs, and leadership are aligned. Over the years, they’ve experienced both rapid expansion and unexpected setbacks, including staff turnover and even a wave of maternity leaves that tested their agency’s structure. Key Lessons from Their Journey: Building a leadership team before scaling – Having strong directors and supervisors in place helped them navigate challenges without sacrificing quality. Maintaining a balance between BCBAs, RBTs, and clients – Too many cases with not enough staff can lead to burnout, turnover, and lower-quality care. Focusing on retention – Investing in staff check-ins, professional development, and a strong company culture helps keep the team engaged and reduces turnover. Prioritizing financial sustainability – Growth isn’t just about increasing revenue—it’s about ensuring that staffing costs align with reimbursement rates. How to Get More Clients Without Losing Quality One of the biggest challenges in 2025 for ABYAY is client acquisition. While they have a strong leadership team and capacity for more cases, finding the right clients—those who truly need intensive services—has been a focus. Some of Their Top Strategies for Client Growth: Strengthening relationships with referral sources like pediatricians and diagnostic centers Engaging with the local community through autism walks and events Hosting educational trainings for parents and professionals to build brand trust Improving onboarding processes to reduce client drop-offs Scaling Without Sacrificing Quality Chris also emphasized that scaling isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about doing it right. Their agency has prioritized quality over rapid expansion, ensuring that staff have manageable caseloads and strong support systems in place. For ABA business owners looking to scale the right way, Chris and Maria’s advice is clear: invest in leadership, streamline operations, and grow intentionally. Want More Support in Growing Your ABA Business? Join the ABA Business Leaders Membership for expert guidance, exclusive resources, and a supportive community. Thinking about starting your own ABA practice? Download our ABA Business Startup Checklist for free. Learn More About ABYAY Visit ABYAY to learn more about their ABA services and how they’re making a difference in their community.

How Effective Bookkeeping Ensures Payroll Stability and Helps You Retain ABA Staff Introduction Running an ABA practice comes with many challenges, but one of the most critical is ensuring that your staff gets paid on time—every time. Payroll is the largest expense for most ABA businesses, and without a clear financial picture, unexpected shortfalls can lead to late payments, missed tax obligations, and low staff morale. On the flip side, strong bookkeeping not only guarantees payroll stability but also gives you the financial insight needed to confidently offer raises and bonuses, increasing staff retention. In this post, we’ll break down why bookkeeping is key to financial stability and how partnering with a service like Margin Keepers can help you keep your employees paid and happy. The Consequences of Poor Bookkeeping on Payroll and Staff Retention Late or Incorrect Paychecks – Payroll errors lead to delayed payments, causing frustration and turnover. Unexpected Cash Flow Problems – Poor tracking can lead to payroll shortfalls. Mismanaged Tax Withholdings – Payroll tax mistakes can result in IRS penalties. Inability to Offer Raises or Bonuses – Without clear finances, offering salary increases becomes risky. How Effective Bookkeeping Ensures Payroll Stability and Increases Retention 1. Always Have Enough Money for Payroll Track revenue and expenses in real time Set aside funds for payroll Forecast future income for stability 2. Know When You Can Offer Raises or Bonuses Access financial reports showing revenue trends Break down operational vs. payroll costs Confidently offer raises without financial risk 3. Stay Compliant with Payroll Taxes Calculate payroll taxes correctly File tax payments on time Keep records organized for audits 4. Reduce Stress and Improve Staff Morale Ensure employees are paid on time Boost job satisfaction Increase staff retention How Margin Keepers Can Help You Master Payroll & Financial Planning Margin Keepers specializes in bookkeeping services tailored to ABA businesses. With their expertise, you can: Ensure payroll is always covered Gain clarity on when to give raises Avoid costly tax mistakes Focus on client care instead of financial stress Conclusion: Financial Stability = Employee Retention Your ABA practice thrives when your team is happy and financially secure. Strong bookkeeping ensures you never have to scramble to make payroll and empowers you to offer raises and bonuses, keeping your best staff engaged and committed. Want to ensure payroll stability and increase retention in your ABA practice? Contact Margin Keepers today to learn how expert bookkeeping can help you build a financially strong and employee-friendly business.