Private investment companies (private equity) have become dominant players in the US autism treatment market in the last decade.[1][3] Between 2017 and 2022, they were responsible for 85 percent of all mergers and acquisitions in the autism services sector, a significantly higher rate than in other healthcare industries.[3] The U.S. autism treatment market is estimated to be $4.4 billion in 2024, with approximately 1.5 million children with autism in America in need of treatment.[1] Twelve major private equity-owned chains employ at least 30,000 people at 1,300 locations across the US.[3] Investors are particularly attracted to applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs because most states cover them under health insurance.[4] Despite the sector's growth, there is a shortage of certified ABA therapists—there are only about 33,000 certified therapists in the US.[1] Critics argue that private equity's focus on profits can negatively impact the quality of care, while supporters emphasize that investors bring better infrastructure, outcomes tracking, and expanded service availability.[6]