Full-Time
Lead Speech Language Pathologist
Updated on 9/3/2026
Positive Development
201-500 employees
Delivers evidence-based developmental therapy for children
Compensation Overview
$100k - $120k/yr
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
In Person
Master's
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1) |
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- Speech-Language Pathology Certification in California.
- Strong desire to learn a Developmental, Relationship-Based Model through training, observation, and reflection.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Passion for working with children on the autism spectrum.
- Ability to work seamlessly and respectfully on a trans-disciplinary team.
- A Master's in Speech Language Pathology.
- An active state Speech-Language Pathology license.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification.
- Pediatrics and Autism Spectrum Disorder medical specialty experience.
- Provide direct clinical work, assessments, and individual consultations for clients.
- Learn and integrate the principles of Early Start best practices and DIRFloortime principles.
- Conduct speech-language screening without interpretation, using age-appropriate screening.
- Follow and implement documented treatment plans or protocols.
- Document progress toward established child and family outcomes and report the information.
- Conduct assessments, including assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties.
- Schedule activities and prepare charts, records, graphs, and data.
- Perform checks and maintenance on equipment, including augmentative communication devices.
- Carry out in-home sessions tailored to the child's treatment plan.
- Attend weekly staff meetings and trainings prepared to contribute to discussions on presented cases.
- Follow administrative requests, including keeping current notes, progress reports, employee certifications, and other documentation or renewals required for continued employment.
Positive Development provides comprehensive developmental therapy for children with developmental differences, especially autism. It offers individualized, evidence-based interventions through a Developmental Model that blends DIR Floortime, P.L.A.Y. Project, Project ImPACT, and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions. A dedicated Care Coordinator leads each family from initial developmental evaluation through intake, ensuring therapy is tailored to the child’s needs. The company generates revenue from service fees for therapy sessions, evaluations, and ongoing support. Its goal is to help children achieve meaningful developmental progress and strengthen connections with families and communities by delivering personalized, family-centered care.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Debt Financing
Total Funding
$147.9M
Headquarters
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Founded
2019
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- January 2026 brought a $45 million debt facility from SVB and Pinegrove.
- August 2025 Series C raised $51.5 million from aMoon, B Capital, and Flare.
- Tulsa's new center and Anthem partnership expand geographic reach and client acquisition.
What critics are saying
- BHB reported July 2026 layoffs after losing a key private payer contract.
- Rockville technicians struck on July 20, 2026, signaling labor instability and execution strain.
- Medicaid-reliant revenue creates existential cash pressure if payer disputes interrupt reimbursements.
What makes Positive Development unique
- Positive Development sells DRBI therapy, a lower-intensity alternative to ABA.
- It combines in-home and center-based care with family coaching and care coordination.
- Its payer contracts with Anthem and Oklahoma Complete Health broaden reimbursement access.
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Benefits
Employee Referral Bonus
Training Programs
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 2%2 year growth
↑ 1%Positive Development, the largest provider of developmental therapy for autistic children in the US, has appointed Dr Alisa Bahl and Jon Pardew to its Board of Directors, effective 1 May 2026. The appointments aim to support the company's expansion as autism diagnoses rise and healthcare payers face increasing cost pressures. Dr Bahl, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years' experience, is President of The Bahl Group and previously held senior roles at Magellan Health and Optum Health. Pardew brings operational expertise from leadership positions including CEO of CCRM Fertility. Founded in 2020, Positive Development provides developmental relationship-based interventions as an alternative to Applied Behavioural Analysis. The company aims to scale its evidence-based therapy model whilst maintaining clinical quality and improving access for families.
Top developmental therapy provider for autistic youth, Positive Development closes new $45M debt facility to support its next phase of growth.
Positive Development, a provider of developmental therapy for autistic children, has secured a $45 million debt facility from Silicon Valley Bank and Pinegrove Venture Partners. The non-dilutive financing refinances the company's existing credit facility and will support geographic expansion, strategic acquisitions and increased care access through commercial and Medicaid health plans. The facility follows Positive Development's recent $51.5 million Series C funding and expansion of partnerships with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Oklahoma Complete Health. Founded in 2020, the company operates as the largest provider of developmental therapy in the United States, offering what it describes as a lower-intensity, lower-cost approach to autism care using developmental relationship-based interventions. The company aims to make its therapy model accessible to families nationwide across all payer types.
Leading provider of developmental therapy for autistic children and their families, Positive Development announces $51.5M in Series C funding.
Positive Development, based in McLean, Virginia, has secured $51.5 million in Series C funding. This investment supports the company's growth in developmental therapy for autistic children and their families. The funding will likely be used for market expansion, service development, and research. This reflects a broader trend of increased investment in specialized healthcare services, driven by rising demand for autism support.