In the world of autism treatment, Nichole Daher is a disrupter. She is the founder of Success on the Spectrum (SOS), the first Autism Treatment Franchise in the US. Nichole has managed to create a new business model in the Autism Treatment Industry that can grow quickly so that more kids get access to care. Recognized as “The Most Admired Women Entrepreneur in Autism Treatment to Watch—2025,” her journey is one of passion, perseverance, and profound impact.
A Personal Journey Leading to a Powerful Mission
Nichole Daher’s entry into the world of autism treatment was a personal one. In 2014, she became the stepmother to an autistic child. Having no experience with special needs children, Nichole took “parent training” classes at her stepdaughter’s ABA therapy clinic. Everything seemed well, and the child was making progress in leaps and bounds. Seeing firsthand the remarkable gains her stepdaughter had achieved through behavior therapy, Nichole came to have a deep respect for the effects of expert autism treatment. However, everything changed when her stepdaughter turned seven.
The ABA clinic suddenly cut services, citing age limits—a policy that, much to Nichole’s surprise, was common practice in the field. Most ABA clinics only serve children up to the age of seven. She also learned that most ABA therapy clinics do not offer speech therapy and occupational therapy, which are commonly needed additional services. This patchwork system made it extremely difficult for parents to get a comprehensive, long-term care package for their autistic kids.
Rather than accepting these limitations, Nichole saw the possibility of change. With a mother’s determination and a steadfast commitment to helping children on the spectrum, she designed a different type of treatment center—a facility that provided comprehensive care to children on the spectrum of all ages.
She brought her vision to life in 2015 by establishing Success on the Spectrum(SOS). In contrast to standard clinics, SOS provides a comprehensive service (including ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy) to children through the age of 18 years old. SOS also offers a unique viewing room where parents can watch their child’s live therapy sessions on the security cameras.
Nichole never wavered in her vision of providing inclusive and effective treatment for autism. By 2018, she had successfully opened 2 Success on the Spectrum branches in Houston, Texas. However, the long and ever-increasing waitlist of children in need of services made it apparent to her that she could not solve the high demand and low supply of ABA single-handedly.
In 2018, Nichole franchised her business, creating a completely new business model for the industry. A franchise is able to open new clinics more rapidly than a private equity owned company, therefore, can grow more quickly while remaining financially stable. The new clinics can receive training and support from the franchisor, helping them to retain uniform operations. The franchisor also performs quality audits, ensuring that children are prioritized over profits.
Overcoming Challenges to Build a Legacy
Insufficient ABA clinics are among the greatest concerns in autism treatment today. The surge in autism diagnosis has significantly increased, but there isn’t enough qualified personnel available because of the strict certification prerequisites and the training program access barriers. Hence, parents confront geographical obstructions and extensive waiting periods with respect to seeking ABA therapy for their Children. SOS Franchising solves this puzzle by leveraging the franchising model for fast Growth.
For Nichole Daher, launching Success on the Spectrum (SOS) as a franchise was a mountain of a task. More than just a business plan, she had to develop a full operations manual with training guides, create an audit system that helped maintain brand uniformity at all outlets, develop physical layout frameworks, and create purchase lists. There was also the matter of the legal intricacies of the healthcare system and the need to strategize policies to abide by a plethora of laws.
Like other industry peers, a significant challenge was to build brand recognition in SOS, especially against large private equity competitors. Nichole designed logos and trademarked their graphics. She hired an in-house production team to build a YouTube channel filled with SOS’s content.
Balancing Leadership, Advocacy, and Personal Growth
It is an ongoing process for Nichole Daher to balance her roles as an entrepreneur, leader, and autism care advocate. She believes that training others to open their own ABA clinics is the most effective avenue to provide more access to care for children on the spectrum. Not only does she help children, but she also helps entrepreneurs succeed.
Nichole also understands the requirements of self-care. As a self-professed workaholic, she has to keep in check her tendency to overwork. To achieve balance, she makes sure she makes time for her unconventional hobby- racing cars. Car racing is a thrilling passion of Nichole’s outside of work. She participates in high-performance driving academies and competitive wheel-to-wheel racing. She trusts that an adequate supply of adrenaline rush brings much needed mental reset.
Revolutionizing Autism Treatment Through SOS
Success on the Spectrum (SOS) is considered to be a leader in the field of autism treatment because it reimagines autism services for children and families. In 2018, SOS became the first brand ever to offer an autism treatment franchise in the United States, and since then, it has pioneered the model of compassionate care combined with franchise accessibility. Each SOS location is independently owned, and astonishingly, 50 percent of the people who run these centers are parents or siblings of people on the autism spectrum. This allows these centers to have genuine compassion and understanding.
Unlike most ABA clinics that specialize in young children, SOS offers therapy to clients Up to age 18 years old. As mentioned before, SOS offers a broad spectrum of therapies, which include ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills classes.The Parent Viewing Room consequently stands out among the prominent attributes of Success on the Spectrum centers. It gives parents the ability to observe their kids’ therapy sessions in real-time through a live camera feed. Such a degree of transparency actively involves the parents and ensures that they remain engaged in their child’s treatment.
Parents are also given weekly training so that they are able to implement some of the therapy techniques at home for the consistent development of the child. SOS does not only provide therapy but also focuses on fostering a sense of community. The Community Outreach Program organizes free social events for the public to promote autism awareness, inclusion, and interaction. Autistic children also get the chance to create happy memories while the public is taught to have more acceptance.
Ensuring Quality and Ethical Care
There has been a noticeable increase in private equity (PE) buyouts of companies within the autism treatment industry, with 85% of these having occurred between 2017 and 2022. The rise in buyouts showcases that PE firms, in addition to funding, have proven useful in supporting positive strategic growth. However, there are worries surrounding their tendency to sacrifice the quality of care in lieu of profits. As per ABA Ethics Hotline’s Jon Bailey, an overwhelming focus on profit seeks to erode the morals needed for good autism treatment.
On the other hand, owner-operated franchises give an empathetic alternative instead of taking the PE route. Numerous franchisees have relatives who are on the autism spectrum or are themselves Autism parents. This in turn allows these individuals to deeply appreciate the situation and make decisions that are in the best interests of the child instead of solely what will help them financially. Unlike PE-backed clinics, franchise owners are not constrained by policies that ensure treatment cost reduction and, as a result, are able to provide ethical and child-focused care.
The franchises that are owner-operated are the ones who tend to form stronger relationships with the families that they serve, which is one of their most critical advantages. Because franchise owners have a personal investment in the success of their centers, they are more interested in long-term results rather than short-term gains.
Moreover, proprietary franchises have the ability to change and evolve in accordance with the changing needs of the autism community. Unlike large corporate companies that are usually immobilized by their policies, franchise owners can develop new programs, revise therapy techniques, and apply new research as necessary. The capability to adjust is vital in an industry where new best practices and interventions are constantly being developed.
Unlike private equity firms who are concerned with profits, owner-operated franchises remain compassionate and engaged with the communities they serve. As the supply for autism service offerings increases, it is vital to still remember the balance between growth targets and the standard of care each child receives.
A Decade of Impact
Success On The Spectrum has supported more than 4,000 families since the company launched in 2015. When Success on the Spectrum turns ten in 2025, its work continues to grow, sending life-altering resources to kids and families all over the country.
The Future of SOS: A Well-Deserved Recognition
As Success On The Spectrum (SOS) grows, Nichole Daher works towards treatment innovation while upholding compassionate, top-tier care. She has trusted and empowered her staff and maintained the iterative process of continuous feedback as best practices to drive long-term success, alongside many other invaluable leadership lessons learned over the years.
As a long-standing woman entrepreneur, Nichole advocates for building a reputable network and staying true to one’s philanthropic mission. In the autism treatment industry, she is a fierce believer in the mantra purported by Success on the Spectrum: quality first—it is bound to be a lasting organization and make an impact.
In the near future, SOS Franchising looks forward to expansion to newer regions, growing their market share, and enhancing their brand. One other major focuses is collaboration with universities to train and recruit specialized and competent workforce. Nichole wishes that Success on the Spectrum’s unrelenting adherence to excellence will motivate other providers of ABA to raise the bar and focus on what really counts—enabling autistic children to prosper.
