Success On The Spectrum (SOS) recently appeared in Medical Daily, which explored the long-debated question: “Is ABA abuse?” The article highlights SOS’s groundbreaking, compassionate approach to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy — one that replaces rigidity with empathy, play, and trust.
As the first autism treatment franchise in the United States, SOS is redefining how ABA therapy supports children and families. Founded by Nichole Daher, an autism mom with firsthand experience, SOS combines science with heart to help children with autism thrive.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. Symptoms usually appear before age three and influence how individuals learn, respond, and connect with others.
ABA therapy remains the most research-backed treatment for autism. Studies show that 89% of children who receive ABA therapy make significant long-term progress, especially when therapy begins before age four. Early intervention improves social skills, communication, and learning outcomes.
Still, the question “Is ABA abuse?” continues to surface because of outdated methods once used decades ago. Early ABA programs sometimes relied on compliance-based techniques that lacked emotional sensitivity. Although those practices have disappeared, some families still associate ABA with rigidity or trauma.
Success On The Spectrum has completely reimagined how ABA is practiced. Founder Nichole Daher saw the fear and stigma surrounding ABA and decided to change the narrative.
“ABA therapy has this bad rap for being abusive or traumatizing, so my team and I reinvented the way it’s done,” says Daher. “We are a play-based therapy. We never force a child to sit down and do something they don’t want to do because their brains don’t learn that way. We use a hands-on teaching style with lots of natural environment training. We even take field trips, because some parents aren’t comfortable taking their children into public without help.”
SOS’s play-based, trauma-informed model puts the child’s emotional safety first. Therapists build trust, use play as a learning tool, and meet each child at their comfort level. This compassionate structure helps children engage, learn, and grow without fear or pressure.
By blending positive reinforcement, movement, and social interaction, SOS proves that ABA therapy is not abuse — it’s empowerment when done with care and understanding.
What makes Success On The Spectrum unique is the personal connection its franchise owners share with the autism community. More than half of SOS owners are parents or siblings of individuals with autism. Their experiences drive their commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments for every child who walks through their doors.
Each SOS center also hosts quarterly community events — such as the Autism Prom, Parents’ Night Out (with free childcare), and local Autism Festivals. These events invite families to connect, celebrate, and find acceptance without judgment.
Through these efforts, SOS not only delivers therapy but also builds a nationwide network of compassion and belonging.
Owning a Success On The Spectrum franchise gives entrepreneurs the chance to make a real difference. Franchisees receive full training, operational guidance, and clinical oversight, allowing them to focus on quality care and community impact.
When you invest in an SOS franchise, you join a mission-driven network dedicated to transforming how the world views ABA therapy. You help families find hope, children find their voice, and communities grow stronger.
Success On The Spectrum (SOS) delivers individualized, play-based ABA therapy in a nurturing environment. Every SOS center includes parent viewing rooms, community outings, and customized treatment plans that build both skills and confidence.
As the first ABA therapy franchise in the U.S., SOS continues to expand nationwide, setting new standards for quality, transparency, and heart-centered care.
To learn more about SOS’s compassionate approach or explore franchise ownership opportunities, visit SOSfranchising.com.
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Nichole Daher is an American entrepreneur, book author, autism advocate, and founder of Success On The Spectrum (SOS)-the first autism treatment franchise in the United States-known for its parent viewing rooms and quality-driven ABA services. She currently serves as CEO of SOS Franchising, where she provides support, resources, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to open their own Success On The Spectrum autism centers.
