Success on the Spectrum Celebrates 10 Years of Transforming Autism Care
In 2025, Success on the Spectrum (SOS) marks its 10th anniversary as the first autism treatment franchise in the United States, celebrating a decade of pioneering innovation and compassionate care. Founded in 2015 by Nichole Daher in Houston, Texas, SOS has grown to become a beacon of hope and support for families affected by autism across the nation.
Humble Beginnings
The journey began with a personal challenge that many families face: finding autism treatment for children. Nichole Daher’s stepdaughter, who is on the autism spectrum, faced repeated rejections from traditional therapy centers due to her age and an overwhelming trend of long waiting lists. The frustration and helplessness Nichole felt fueled her determination to create a solution that would not only address her family’s needs but also the needs of countless others facing similar challenges.
Nichole launched the original 2 SOS clinics in Houston, Texas. This clinic featured comprehensive services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
Nichole leveraged her personal experience as a parent to create a purposefully designed treatment center. She and a team of Autism experts carefully planned out spaces that featured specialized environments designed to prepare children for a successful future in modern society. The Mock classroom mimics a typical public school and allows children to practice group learning in a controlled environment. The Art Room combines fun with lessons in sharing, taking turns, and fine motor function. The Life Skills Room equips children with essential skills for independent living as adults, such as a mock grocery store, a mock kitchen and laundry room. The Social Room contains games and activities that foster peer collaboration. The Sensory Room helps children develop coping skills to manage sensory overstimulation in public spaces.
Success on the Spectrum is also one of the only autism treatment companies that feature parent viewing rooms, allowing families to watch their child’s live treatment—a testament to its commitment to transparency and collaboration. Watching treatment in real time is a learning experience for parents too, as they gain insights and methods of teaching their own children. Nichole highly encourages the active participation of parents in their child’s journey.
In 2018, Nichole boldly converted the Success on the Spectrum model into a national franchise. This business model broke new ground in the autism care industry, shattering the traditional private equity model. By empowering other entrepreneurs to open clinics in their communities, Nichole built a network that makes ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy more accessible to families throughout many different cities in the US. By the end of 2024, the SOS network had expanded to 54 open clinics across the United States.
The franchising company, SOS Franchising, mandates a full training program for every key employee at each location. SOSs in-house Quality Assurance (QA) department completes a thorough audit twice a year at each center. If any discrepancies are found, she prioritizes more training and issues fines. The top performing franchisees are honorably admitted into the “Commodore’s Club” where they get exclusive perks and serve as mentors to rookie clinics.
The number of children being diagnosed with Autism each year are still surging and there are not enough medical providers to keep up with the demand. To combat the need, SOS has established partnerships with many Universities to become a highly sought after practicum site. In-house certification programs, and lucrative internships make SOS the perfect place for ambitious students to work their way through a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. In 2022, The International Forum of Advancements in Healthcare named SOS the “Top 50 Companies” for their efforts to create a career pathway for entry level employees to grow into Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
A Decade of Impact
The past ten years have been marked by significant milestones for Success on the Spectrum. Its clinics have provided life-changing services to thousands of children with autism, helping them achieve greater independence and success in their daily lives. In recognition of its innovative business model, SOS was honored as the Top ABA Service Provider of 2024 by Healthcare Business Review.
Success On The Spectrum proudly created a Community Outreach Program. This unique effort hosts free social events for children with Autism and their families. The Annual Autism Proms gives children who may not attend a typical school the opportunity to experience a group dance. The SOS Autism Festivals create a welcoming and inclusive environment to play without judgement.
Founder Nichole Daher states, “Every child should be able to enjoy activities like this without the fear of being judged or rejected. We are making memories for these kids. I love that we can offer these events. Some of these kids would never experience things like prom otherwise.”
In recognition of her philanthropic contributions, founder Nichole Daher was awarded the prestigious Houston Humanitarian Award by the City of Houston in 2024. The award highlighted her unwavering dedication to advocating for children with autism and her tireless efforts to make quality care accessible to all.
Looking Ahead
As Success on the Spectrum celebrates its 10th anniversary, Daher and her team remain committed to helping more Autism families. Looking ahead, the organization aims to expand its reach even further, bringing its unique blend of compassion and expertise to more communities across the country.
“Ten years ago, we started with a vision to make a difference in the lives of children with autism and their families. Today, we are humbled by how far we’ve come and excited about the future,” said Daher. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team, the trust of the families we serve, and the power of collaboration.”
As it enters its second decade, Success on the Spectrum continues to be a trailblazer in autism treatment, exemplifying how passion, innovation, and a commitment to community can transform lives.