What Is Melmark? Services, Locations, and Who It Serves

Melmark is a multi-state human service provider that operates private special education schools and professional development, training, and research centers. It serves children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, delivering evidence-based and applied behavior analytic (ABA) services. If you are looking for a special education placement, adult services, or professional training in ABA, Melmark is relevant — and its admissions process depends on which state division you contact.

What Melmark Does

Melmark describes itself as a comprehensive multiservice agency. Its work centers on enhancing the lives of individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families through applied behavior analytic and evidence-based services.

Its main service categories are:

• Children's Services — private special education for school-age individuals
• Adult Services — programming and support for adults
• Educators and Professionals — professional development, training, and research centers

The organization also conducts and publishes research. Recent news items on its site include work on conducting research in ABA service organizations and a clinical case report on fading protective equipment in treating self-injury.

Who It Serves

Melmark serves two broad populations:

The focus is on autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities.

Where Melmark Operates

Melmark serves children and adults through service divisions in three states:

• Andover, Massachusetts
• Berwyn, Pennsylvania
• Charlotte, North Carolina

Admissions are handled by division, so the process and availability depend on which location is relevant to you. The site directs users to click a specific division for details on its admissions process.

How to Start the Admissions Process

1. Identify the division closest to you or most appropriate for the individual: Andover (MA), Berwyn (PA), or Charlotte (NC).
2. Open that division's page to review its admissions process.
3. Use the site's inquiry option to make contact.

The site provides an "Inquire" path alongside admissions information, so the practical first step is selecting a division and then inquiring.

Research, Training, and Events

Beyond direct services, Melmark runs professional development, training, and research centers. This makes it relevant not only to families but also to educators and ABA professionals seeking training or research engagement.

Melmark also hosts events, including an annual golf tournament for Melmark Carolinas and a Dream Makers' Ball, which the site reports raised $1.2 million to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A calendar of events is maintained on the site.

As a Nonprofit

Melmark is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law, and no goods or services are exchanged for any gift. For detailed questions about deductions, the site advises consulting a tax professional.

Quick Take

• If you need a special education placement or adult services for someone with autism or an intellectual/developmental disability, start with the division in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina and follow its admissions process.
• If you are an educator or ABA professional, the training, development, and research centers are the relevant entry points.
• If you want to support the organization, donations go through its nonprofit structure, and events are listed on its calendar.