When children with autism don’t get the right support, the effects can be heartbreaking—missed milestones, trouble with communication, daily struggles, and stressed families. Autism affects how a child learns, interacts, and sees the world. Without early and steady help, their growth can slow down—not because they can’t improve, but because the support isn’t there.
Many families face long waitlists, limited services, or care that ends too soon. That’s why a complete and caring approach is so important—bringing together therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech, and occupational support in one place. When care is consistent and easy to access, children make real progress, and families feel hopeful again. This kind of change happens because of people who truly care—people who see the gaps and step up to create safe, supportive spaces where children can grow and thrive.
Nichole Daher, Founder of Success On The Spectrum, is one such person. What began as her effort to find better care for her stepdaughter with autism has grown into a mission to change the way autism treatment is delivered across the country. With a strong focus on quality, consistency, and compassion, Nichole introduced the first autism treatment franchise model in the U.S., making it possible for more communities to access high-quality care. She leads the company’s growth, builds operational systems, supports franchisees, and ensures each center meets high standards.
By empowering local owners—many of whom have personal connections to autism—Nichole has created a network that puts families first. As of 2025, SOS celebrates its 10-year anniversary, having helped over 4,000 families. The company continues to expand into new regions and is preparing to launch services for autistic adults. Through her leadership, Nichole is not just running a business—she’s building a better future for children and families living with autism.
Vision for Comprehensive, Lifespan Autism Support
In 2014, Nichole Daher became the stepmother of a child with autism. With no prior experience in special needs, she enrolled in “parent training” classes at her stepdaughter’s ABA therapy clinic. At first, things were going well, and her stepdaughter was making great progress. But when the child turned seven, the clinic ended its services—something Nichole learned was common, as most ABA clinics only treat children up to that age. She also realized that many clinics did not offer other important therapies like speech or occupational therapy alongside ABA. This lack of complete and continued care was deeply troubling and highlighted a serious gap in autism services.
Motivated to make a difference, Nichole founded Success On The Spectrum (SOS) in 2015—a center that offers ABA, speech, and occupational therapy all in one place, helping children with autism from 18 months up to 18 years old.
From One Child to Many
Nichole Daher shares that after opening two locations in Houston, Texas, her goal was simple—to give children like her stepdaughter the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. But as more families sought services, the waitlist grew longer, and with it came a deep sense of guilt that she couldn’t help every child who needed care. That’s when she realized the need far outweighed what she could provide on her own.
Driven by this overwhelming demand and her personal connection to autism, she knew it was time to think bigger. In 2018, she launched SOS Franchising, the first autism treatment franchise in the U.S. Her vision was to empower passionate entrepreneurs to open their own SOS centers, expanding access to quality services across the country—while still upholding the high standards and compassionate care that families deserve.
Legal and Operational Challenges of Scaling Autism Care
Nichole Daher shares that launching the first franchise model in a new industry came with several challenges. It involved building brand consistency across different locations, setting up clear and effective operational systems, and finding franchisees who were both qualified and passionate. She also had to navigate legal complexities and adapt the model to suit different markets. Creating a strong and recognizable brand while maintaining quality control—without limiting the independence of franchise owners—was especially tough. On top of all this, Nichole notes that there was limited public awareness or understanding of the franchise concept in autism care, which made the journey even more demanding.
Learning to Set Boundaries in a Life of Service
Nichole Daher believes that true leadership is about helping others grow, reach their potential, and create meaningful impact—and for her, franchising has become a powerful way to achieve that. She sees each franchisee as a reflection of her mission, noting that many of them are driven by the same deep passion and commitment to autism care that fuels her work. While her dedication to the cause runs deep, Nichole also understands the importance of balance. A self-proclaimed workaholic, she has learned to set boundaries and prioritize personal well-being.
After recently getting re-married, she now makes it a point to take intentional breaks and spend quality time outside of work. One of her favorite ways to recharge is through her love for speed—participating in High Performance Driving Academies and competitive wheel-to-wheel racing, where she finds both thrill and clarity. This blend of purpose and personal fulfillment helps her stay energized, focused, and ready to lead with heart.
The First Franchise Model in the U.S.
SOS became the first autism treatment franchise in the United States in 2018. Each location is independently owned, and about 1/4th of the center owners are parents or siblings of individuals with autism.
The centers offer therapy for children from 18 months to 18 years old and provide:
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- ABA
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Social skills classes
The centers use a play-based ABA approach, which allows children to learn through natural, enjoyable activities like:
- Playing with toys
- Engaging in pretend play
- Social interaction and turn-taking
All while working toward goals in communication, behavior, and daily life skills.
To support family involvement:
- Every center has a parent viewing room with live video access
- Weekly parent training sessions with BCBAs include recorded clips of each child’s progress
- A community outreach program hosts free public events to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and create joyful childhood experiences
To maintain high standards across all locations, SOS Franchising conducts thorough clinical and administrative audits twice a year, ensuring that each center delivers consistent, high-quality care to every family they serve.
Growing with Care, Not Just Profit
Nichole Daher believes that franchising is the best way to grow autism services while still putting care and compassion first. She points out that from 2017 to 2022, most companies in this field were bought by private equity firms—about 85% of them. While these firms offer money and business plans, they often focus too much on profits, which can hurt the quality of care. Jon Bailey from the ABA Ethics Hotline has also raised concerns about this.
In comparison, Nichole’s franchise centers are owned by people who often have personal experiences with autism. This connection helps them care more deeply and understand the needs of families better. These owners are focused on helping children, not just making money. They build strong relationships with families and can offer flexible and personalized care.
Nichole says that while private equity helps businesses grow fast, her franchise model adds something more important—heart, community, and a true desire to make a difference.
Tackling the ABA Clinic Shortage
One of the biggest challenges Nichole sees in autism treatment today is the growing shortage of ABA clinics. With autism diagnoses on the rise and the certification process for professionals remaining strict and lengthy, the number of qualified providers hasn’t kept up with demand. As a result, many families face long waitlists or are forced to travel far for services—delaying the early and consistent support that’s so vital to a child’s progress. Nichole believes this gap in care is one of the most urgent issues in the field and is committed to expanding access through SOS’s franchise model, helping more communities get the services they need.
Top Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nichole Daher shares three key pieces of advice for women looking to step into entrepreneurship, particularly in healthcare and franchising:
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- Build a strong network – Surround yourself with the right people
- Embrace your perspective – You don’t have to follow anyone’s path
- Don’t fear failure – Resilience will carry you through
Quality Must Come Before Profit
According to Nichole Daher , prioritizing quality over profit is the most essential quality for long-term success in the autism treatment industry. She believes this commitment is what will help SOS stand strong, even when compared to large private equity models that often prioritize financial returns over personalized care. By focusing on delivering consistent, ethical, and effective services, Nichole emphasizes that putting families and children first is not just the right thing to do—it’s what builds trust, sustainability, and lasting impact.
Strategic Expansion into New Geographic Market
SOS Franchising is focused on steadily increasing its market share and expanding into new geographic regions. It is also working on strengthening its brand reputation while aiming to become a trusted thought leader in the autism treatment industry. Additionally, the company is building more partnerships with universities to help develop a diverse, skilled, and highly engaged workforce.
Inspiring a New Era of Compassionate Autism Services
Nichole Daher shares that she hopes SOS’s unwavering focus on quality will spark a broader shift in the autism treatment industry. She wants to see other ABA providers elevate their standards—not just in clinical care, but in how they approach families, ethics, and long-term outcomes. Her vision is for SOS to be more than a service provider; she hopes it will be a catalyst that inspires others to do better for the children they serve. By setting a high bar for compassion, consistency, and integrity, Nichole aims to lead a movement that redefines what quality care truly looks like in the autism space.
