Houston, Texas – When Nichole Daher first heard her child’s autism diagnosis, she was overwhelmed—not by fear, but by the maze of limited and impersonal treatment options available. A mother navigating the unfamiliar world of autism therapies, Nichole didn’t just seek help. She built it.
Today, Nichole is the founder and CEO of Success On The Spectrum (SOS), the first autism treatment franchise in the United States. What started in 2015 as a single center in Houston has since become a nationwide network of therapy clinics serving children with autism and developmental delays—and their families.
“I didn’t come from a medical background. I came from a place of deep need,” Nichole said. “I needed a place that saw my child as a person, not a diagnosis. And when I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it.”
SOS now operates under a franchise model, allowing other passionate providers to open centers using the SOS approach—a structured, evidence-based therapy model centered around Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy. But beyond clinical care, it’s the heart behind the mission that draws families in.
Care Built on Compassion
Unlike many traditional autism therapy centers, SOS emphasizes family participation. Each location includes a parent viewing room, where caregivers can watch their child’s therapy sessions in real-time. According to Nichole, transparency and trust are the foundation of every center.
“We’re not just treating children,” she explained. “We’re empowering families. Parents are part of the progress.”
That philosophy extends into the community. Through SOS’s Community Outreach Program, the organization hosts events such as Autism Festivals, sensory-friendly Proms, and Parent Training Workshops. These events aim to break social stigma, promote inclusion, and give families a rare and welcome sense of belonging.
National Recognition
Nichole’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. SOS has been awarded multiple honors, including the Top ABA Provider award by Healthcare Business Review in 2024 and the Anthem Award for its community outreach. But for Nichole, success isn’t about accolades—it’s about access.
“There are thousands of families like mine who just need support and understanding,” she said. “The more centers we open, the more lives we can touch.”
Changing the Industry—One Family at a Time
With over 50 centers now operating across the country, SOS continues to grow. Yet its roots remain deeply personal. Every new franchise is trained with the same care and principles that guided Nichole’s first center: evidence-based therapy, individualized care, and a commitment to treating children with dignity and joy.
“We’re not just another therapy center,” she said. “We’re a movement—one that’s helping families navigate autism with hope and community.”
Nichole Daher didn’t set out to become a CEO. She set out to help her daughter. In doing so, she built a legacy of care that now supports thousands of children and their families across the United States. And it all began with a mother’s love—and a refusal to accept less.
