Special Learning, Inc., the leading global provider of comprehensive digital autism solutions including training, curriculum and educational materials, and virtual consulting, today announced that Insight Success Magazine has recognized Special Learning with the distinction of being among the 10 most innovative companies in the EdTech Solutions category.

Special Learning, Inc., the leading global provider of comprehensive digital autism solutions including training, educational resources and curriculum, and virtual supervision and consulting, today announced that Insight Success Magazine, a leading magazine and platform for emerging and fast growing enterprises, has recognized Special Learning with the distinction of being among the 10 most innovative companies in the EdTech Solutions category.

Solving a Major Global Problem

There are approximately 70 million people with autism in the world, based on a global prevalence rate of 1 in 100, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Sadly, less than 10% of the world’s population with autism have access to a life-changing intervention known as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). ABA is an evidenced-based intervention that has a demonstrated 47% success rate in helping children with autism to mainstream with early and intensive application. Furthermore, ABA can help over 95% of people on the autism spectrum achieve some level of independence.

However, the global autism epidemic is growing, owing to a skills shortage barrier preventing millions of people with autism from achieving independence. The world is experiencing an extreme scarcity of certified ABA experts, called Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs®) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs®), those who implement ABA programs under the supervision of BCBAs®. With only 29,000 BCBAs® and 33,000 RBTs® available worldwide (most practicing in the U.S.) in a handful of countries to meet the needs of tens of millions of people with autism, the system breaks down.

The universal challenge is twofold: 1) ABA programs consume a significant amount of time and resources (about 35 hours per week. 2) Correspondingly, ABA is very expensive with costs ranging from $75,000–$125,000 annually. Even if a portion of ABA therapy is covered by insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are still substantial. In international markets and some rural parts of the U.S., accessing quality ABA services and even resources is virtually impossible.

The Special Learning EdTech Solution

So what’s the solution? Increase the global supply of parents, educators and professionals trained to use ABA. Special Learning has spent the last seven years developing, designing, testing, refining, and  implementing the best and most cost-effective means to provide digital and virtual access to ABA.

Special Learning’s flexible learning platform makes ABA training, educational resources and curriculum materials, and virtual supervision and consultation accessible to those estimated 200 million individuals who provide direct care and support to individuals with autism. This tech-based delivery method fosters connected access to ABA experts to anyone with an internet connection anywhere in the world!

Connecting Clinicians, Educators, and Parents Through Technology

All Special Learning courses can be accessed and completed online anywhere in the world. Upon completion of Special Learning trainings, anyone can be properly equipped to work with individuals with autism. Experts (BCBAs®), intervention clinicians (implementers), educators, parents and other professionals such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and nurses can learn to become ABA practitioners.

Most importantly, with access to a comprehensive array of digital autism solutions, parents can now become their child’s therapist, enabling them to take control of their child’s future.

“We believe the real power of technology is the ability to connect us with people—parents, educators, health professionals and other thought leaders—to build a bridge to collectively create systemic and sustainable solutions to positively impact the world,” said Karen Chung, CEO at Special Learning, Inc.

For more information on Special Learning’s products or any of the other ABA programs and materials, visit Special Learning’s website.

About Special Learning, Inc.

Founded in 2010, Special Learning is a global network that provides training, educational resources and curriculum, and virtual supervision and consultation to the autism and special needs community through its website, special-learning.com. The company is passionate about changing the lives of people with autism and other special needs by helping teachers, parents and service providers access exceptional resources based on clinically proven Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and methodologies. ABA therapy provides a proven track record of results that more subjectively administered therapies cannot match.