activities · 9
what they do
direct service · 3
- Deliver individualized care services for autism and I/DDProvides comprehensive, individualized treatment and support services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including diagnostic evaluations, ABA-based interventions, caregiver-led programs, peer groups, and career advancement services. In 2024, served over 24,000 individuals and 25,500 families annually, with 93% of clients beginning treatment within 10 days and an average of 5 days to connect with a provider.
- Deliver individualized care services for autism and I/DDProvides direct treatment and support services to over 24,000 individuals and families annually through a network of 15,000–16,000 practitioners, delivering approximately 3 million service hours each year. Services include diagnostic evaluations, ABA-based interventions, caregiver-led programs, career advancement support, and peer groups, with 93% of clients beginning treatment within 10 days and an average 5-day connection to care.
- Support early access to autism diagnosis and care Autism Family Support & NavigationLaunched an online screener and proprietary mobile application to improve access to autism diagnosis and ongoing care, enabling caregivers to connect with care teams, access treatment plans, and use educational resources.
advocacy · 2
- Advocate for value-based autism care Autism Research and Evidence-Based CarePromotes high-quality, value-based care models for autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities at global forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, influencing policy and practice standards.
- Advocate for value-based autism care Autism Research and Evidence-Based CarePromotes value-based, high-quality care models for autism and I/DD at global forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, advancing systemic change in behavioral healthcare delivery.
research · 2
- Conduct clinical and population health research on autism and I/DD Music-Based Psychosocial Development ResearchConducts peer-reviewed research using over ten years of real-world clinical data to improve outcomes for autistic individuals and those with I/DD. Research focuses on treatment efficacy, behavioral health, sleep impacts, and quality-of-life metrics, with findings presented at major national and international conferences including ABAI, APA, CalABA, and INSAR.
- Conduct clinical and population health research on autism and I/DD Autism Research and Evidence-Based CareConducts peer-reviewed research using over ten years of real-world clinical data to improve treatment outcomes and advance behavioral healthcare for autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research focuses on sleep and behavior, treatment efficacy, and care model innovation, with findings presented at major national and international conferences and used to refine clinical practices.
capacity building · 2
- Expand clinical capacity through professional training and educationOffers a comprehensive suite of capacity-building programs including a year-long postdoctoral training program, advanced certification, continuing education, online courses, and IACET-accredited CEUs for clinicians specializing in autism and I/DD care. Catalight Academy delivers self-paced, virtual, and mentor-supported training to expand the national provider network and ensure high-fidelity clinical program implementation.
- Provide professional training and capacity building for clinicians Health Professional Continuing Education & ConferencesOffers comprehensive training and education programs for clinicians and behavioral health professionals through Catalight Academy, including a year-long postdoctoral program, IACET-accredited CEUs, advanced certification, online courses, webinars, and an annual virtual conference ("Elevate Your Impact"). Programs focus on autism and I/DD care, clinical fidelity, and licensure support, with on-demand and mentored learning options.
strategies · 25
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Barrier Reduction and Equity-Focused Care equity-focused care deliveryThe organization actively works to eliminate systemic barriers—including financial, racial, and structural biases—through inclusive practices, access funding, and policy advocacy to advance equity in diagnosis and treatment for people with developmental disabilities.
- Caregiver-Led Intervention Model caregiver-led careImplements interventions led by caregivers without certifying them as behavior technicians or providing financial compensation, emphasizing family involvement in day-to-day care.
- Data-Driven and Evidence-Based Care Delivery evidence-based care deliveryThe organization leverages real-world clinical data, research, and evidence-based guidelines to inform treatment, training, and digital tools, ensuring timely, effective, and standardized behavioral health care for autism and I/DD.
- Data-Driven and Evidence-Based Care Delivery evidence-based practiceThe organization leverages real-world clinical data, research, and evidence-based guidelines to inform treatment, training, and digital tools, improving diagnostic accuracy, intervention effectiveness, and system-wide outcomes.
- Family-Centered Care Integration family-centered careFamilies and caregivers are treated as essential partners in treatment, with care models designed to support caregiver involvement, reduce family stress, and align interventions with family goals and lived experience.
- Family-Centered and Caregiver-Integrated Care family-centered careThe organization treats families and caregivers as essential partners in treatment, supporting them through caregiver-led interventions and aligning care plans with family goals to improve wellbeing and reduce stress.
- Inclusive Empowerment Model inclusive_empowerment_modelUses purpose-driven, inclusive strategies to empower communities and promote responsible growth, focusing on equitable participation and shared impact.
- Individualized Treatment Planning with Multimodal Integration individualized treatment planningClinical teams create flexible, individualized care plans by integrating multiple treatment modalities, ensuring alignment with client needs and promoting effective outcomes in autism and I/DD care.
- JEDI Framework in Organizational and Service Design jedi_frameworkA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework guides both internal culture and external service delivery to ensure equitable, respectful, and inclusive care and employment practices.
- JEDI and Equity-Focused Systems Change jedi_frameworkThe organization applies a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework to dismantle systemic barriers and biases in care delivery and advocates for structural and policy reforms to advance equity for people with developmental disabilities.
- Network Optimization for Scalable Access network_optimizationLeveraging over a decade of experience, the organization designs and manages non-traditional provider networks to improve access, payer satisfaction, and scalability in behavioral health services.
- Person-Centered Care Network Model person-centered care network modelA coordinated network of care providers and community partners works to dismantle systemic boundaries and biases, reimagining healthcare delivery through integration and collaboration.
- Person-Centered, Individualized Care Model person-centered careThe organization uses a personalized, multidisciplinary approach that tailors care to the unique needs of individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), rejecting one-size-fits-all models to improve clinical outcomes and family wellbeing.
- Person-Centered, Individualized Care Model person-centered careThe organization uses a personalized, multidisciplinary approach that tailors care to the unique needs of individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), rejecting one-size-fits-all models to improve clinical outcomes and family wellbeing.
- Positive Behavior Support Policy positive behavior supportThe organization prohibits the use of punishment in treatment, adhering to positive behavior support principles that align with person-centered and inclusive care values.
- Positive and Inclusive Behavior Support Policy positive behavior supportThe organization prohibits the use of punishment in treatment and promotes inclusive, empowering practices aligned with person-centered values and positive behavior support principles.
- Rapid Access and Workforce Expansion Model rapid-access modelTo reduce diagnostic delays, the organization trains early-career psychologists, expands a national provider network, and aims to connect individuals to specialist evaluations within 10 days of initial concern.
- Rapid-Access Diagnostic Model rapid-access modelBy streamlining pathways to care and expanding provider networks, the organization aims to reduce wait times from concern to specialist evaluation for autism and I/DD to within 10 days, improving early intervention opportunities.
- Responsible Innovation in Care Delivery responsible innovation in care deliveryInnovative tools and models are developed and implemented with ethical oversight to disrupt traditional care delivery methods while maintaining clinical integrity and patient safety.
- Systemic Advocacy for Policy Change systemic advocacyAdvocacy efforts focus on transforming structural and policy barriers to equity in developmental disability care, aiming for large-scale systemic improvements.
- Technology-Enabled and Digital Health Innovation digital health innovationProprietary digital tools—including wearables, apps, and software—are developed and deployed to enhance care coordination, connect stakeholders, and innovate service delivery in behavioral health.
- Technology-Enabled, Digital Health Innovation digital health innovationThe organization develops and uses proprietary digital tools—including wearables, apps, and software—to enhance care coordination, connect stakeholders, and innovate in behavioral health service delivery.
- Value-Based, Sustainable Care Systems value-based careThe organization operates within a value-based care framework to improve access, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability in behavioral health services for autism and I/DD.
- Value-Based, Sustainable Care Systems value-based careThe organization operates within a value-based care framework to improve access, cost efficiency, and sustainability in behavioral health services through network optimization and non-traditional management solutions.
- Workforce Development for Diagnostic Capacity workforce development for diagnostic capacityTo address shortages in specialized care, the organization trains early-career psychologists in autism diagnostic assessment through post-doctoral programs and national network expansion.
named programs · 10
what they call their work
BrightLink
Proprietary mobile application for caregivers to connect with care teams, access treatment plans, engage with community resources, and receive educational content
Catalight Classroom
Online post-graduate programs for clinicians offering self-paced courses, virtual training, mentorship, and tools to advance careers in autism and I/DD care.
Catalight Practice Guidelines
Provides evidence-based treatment hour recommendations and outcome measures for behavioral interventions in ASD and related developmental disabilities
Catalight Research Institute
Conducts peer-reviewed research, collects population health data, and forms strategic partnerships to advance behavioral healthcare for ASD and I/DD.
Compass Behavioral Program
New program empowering neurodivergent teens and young adults through tailored behavioral support.
Elevate Your Impact Conference
Annual virtual conference bringing together behavioral health professionals, researchers, and advocates to share innovations in autism and developmental disability care
Flexible Treatment Options
Personalized care pathways including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), caregiver-led interventions, coaching, and developmental, relationship-based approaches tailored to individual needs.
MyBrightLink
Proprietary mobile application for caregivers of children with autism and related developmental disabilities, enabling connection with care teams, access to treatment plans, community engagement, and educational resources.
SparkleCare
Enterprise platform for network management that tracks and guides clients from referral to discharge to improve care access and outcomes.
Value-based Care Model
Framework focusing on quality outcomes and cost savings by aligning treatment success with client and family wellbeing.
relationships · 15
who they work with
- ABAI Partner — Participates in the ABAI Autism Conference to share research and shape the future of care.
- American Psychological Association Partner — Presents research at the APA Convention to advance behavioral health knowledge.
- CalABA Partner — Engages in the CalABA Conference to share findings and innovations in autism care.
- Catalight Care Services Partner — Operational arm partnering with providers and practitioners to deliver care services.
- Catalight Care Services Partner — Provides post-evaluation support to help families choose appropriate treatment pathways.
- Catalight Classroom Network — Platform for advanced education and professional development courses for clinicians in the I/DD field.
- Catalight Foundation Partner — Entity focused on raising capital and reinvesting in systemic change to address inequities.
- Catalight Research Institute Network — Research arm of Catalight that develops clinician tools and conducts studies to advance behavioral healthcare.
- Easterseals Hawaii Partner — Affiliate partner supporting people with disabilities and their families across Hawaii.
- Easterseals Northern California Partner — Affiliate partner supporting people with disabilities and their families across Northern California.
- International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Government — Accredits Catalight's learning events and authorizes issuance of IACET CEUs.
- International Society of Autism Research Partner — Participates in the INSAR Conference to contribute to global autism research dialogue.
- NIH Funder — Researcher awarded NIH grant to study educator training for autistic students.
- World Economic Forum Partner — Presented value-based autism care at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Xolv Technology Solutions Partner — Business partner that powers Catalight's care services, research, and advocacy.