Issue 2 2019

48 Acquisition International - Issue 2 2019 ccording to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 6 newborn children will be diagnosed with a developmental disability (such as autism), making such conditions more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the main treatment methodology recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Surgeon General and the US National Institutes of Mental Health for treating individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism. However, the highly limited availability of credentialed ABA providers severely limits its potential benefit for the hundreds of millions of individuals globally with such disorders. Limited public support services, including in the education and healthcare systems, further amplify this challenge. Rethink was founded with a mission to address the significant challenge of how to effectively and affordably meet the treatment needs of this enormous and growing population worldwide with a significant dearth of trained professionals. The Company determined that the only way to deliver clinical best practice treatment in a scalable way was to leverage technology to train whoever was caring for the individual with the developmental disability how to deliver the treatment. This would impact all the entities revolving around the care of this population, including in the school, in the home, and in the healthcare system. Rethink found extensive research on the effectiveness of video modelling for training in fields such as medicine and the military. As such, the firm decided to combine this proven method of instruction with the proven and medically-recommended ABA treatment methodology, creating an online training and support system for individuals with a developmental disability and their caregivers worldwide. With a significant dearth of trained professionals available to meet the needs of a growing population with a developmental disability, Rethink set out to create a scalable solution that would make clinical best practice treatment tools and support available to the individual and their caregiver(s) regardless of location, as Daniel explains. “Providing research-based teaching strategies grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the award-winning Rethink program includes a comprehensive online individualized treatment program with over 1,500 video-based demonstrations to train caregivers, parents, professional and paraprofessional staff how to manage problem behaviors. In addition to this, Rethink’s practice management offering allows for the tracking of service authorizations and cost of treatment as it relates to clinical outcomes. Rethink serves individuals at all levels of development and ages ranging from point of diagnosis through early adulthood.” Working behind the scenes to ensure that deadlines are met, and goals are achieved is the dedicated, passionate team of talented Rethink is a global health technology company providing cloud-based treatment tools, training and clinical support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Recently, we profiled the firm and spoke to Daniel Etra who provided us with a detailed insight into how the Company inspires and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and those who support them. Rethink : Inspiring and Empowering Individuals A individuals who form the backbone of Rethink. When discussing the internal culture, Daniel is delighted to highlight the significant role the Rethink team plays in the overall success of the award-winning firm. “Rethink is unique in the marketplace by offering a scalable and fully integrated solution to addressing the needs of individuals with a developmental disability and their caregivers. As such, Rethink’s employees share a deep passion for having a social impact and drive continuous innovation in the products that Rethink offers.” Looking ahead to what the future holds, Daniel signs off by revealing the plans that lie in the pipeline for the firm, especially following their recent success in Acquisition Intl.’s 2018 Global Excellence Awards. “Currently, we are in the process of expanding our core product offering beyond treatment tools and supports for dependents with a developmental disability and their caregivers to adults with a developmental disability, including supporting those individuals with a Neurodiverse condition in the workplace. “Ultimately, despite what many may think, building a successful company does not happen overnight. There is the expression ‘the 10-year overnight success.’ This is particularly true for entrepreneurs as successful ones need to be willing to pivot their business strategy to respond to changing market conditions, as well as to have the patience to play the long game and be willing and able to move the ball down the field a little bit each and every day.” Company: Rethink Address: 19 West 21st Street, Suite 403, New York, NY 10010 USA Telephone: (877) 988 8871 Website: www.rethinkfirst.com Dec18546