There are 3.5 million children and adults with autism in America. The North American market for autism disorder treatment is expected to grow over the next five years, due to a variety of factors: more widespread awareness of the condition, efforts by advocacy groups, an increase in the number of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) treatment programs and centers, more insurance coverage, and new and more effective drugs for the treatment of patients.This is a fragmented industry that operates locally, a mixture of for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Here are the top seven things to know about this sector:
- Market value & growth: This is a market valued at $2.0 billion in 2020 that is forecast to grow 4.0% per year to $2.45 billion by 2025. The pandemic did result in a shift to more telehealth services. Treatment programs generate $1.4 billion, while the medications market is worth $627 million.
- Key forecasts: Treatment center revenues are expected to grow 4.5% per year from 2021 to 2025, outpacing the growth of the autism drugs market, which is forecast to grow 3.0% per year (average annual rate).
- The need for treatment: The number of autistic children is rising in the United States, at the rate of 6.2% per year. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 54 children born in the U.S. are autistic.
- More treatment centers: The overwhelming majority of the largest for-profit treatment companies has increased the number of centers they operate, and their revenues, compared to 2017.
- The autism drugs market: Several medications (Risperdal, Concerta) are still used to treat people with autism, and less costly generics have entered the market, resulting in lower total revenues. There is substantial R&D taking place to develop new and more effective drugs.
- Health insurance coverage for autism: Insurance coverage of autistic children has improved over the past four years, with 64% now covered (vs. 36% in 2016). All 50 states now cover it.
- Revenue estimates: The top 9 for-profit chains are estimated to have posted 2019 revenues of $547 million.
NEW UPDATE: For the most up-to-date research, see Marketdata's newest article on the $4 billion U.S. autism market, which draws on research from the report The U.S. Autism Treatment Centers Market published in September, 2022.
About the Author: John LaRosa is the President of Marketdata LLC and is the author of 100+ industry and market studies. His research appears in top media outlets including ABC, CNN, Fox, Forbes, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and a variety of trade journals.
