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Success On The Spectrum founder Nichole Daher said she "could cry happy tears" after seeing children and their families make friends at the annual Autism Prom event held April 7. Daher shared her statement with Houston Daily on May 17.
"I could cry happy tears at the memory of 2024 Autism Prom," said Daher. "I saw kids and parents having a good time and making friends."
According to Daher, the SOS Autism Prom provides the opportunity for kids on the autism spectrum to have an inclusive, judgment-free prom experience. “We hope to give these kids happy childhood memories and a feeling of belonging,” said Daher.
This year’s event, held at Moody Gardens in Galveston, featured dinner and drinks, music and dancing as well as a photo booth and other activities. Daher said the event was made possible by community volunteers who donated their time and services, including a volunteer DJ. “It is so beautiful to see the community come together and make an inclusive space for these kids to have fun and be themselves,” she said.
Daher, an Autism mom, founded Success On The Spectrum (SOS) in 2015, according to the SOS website. Since being franchised in 2018, the SOS has grown to include over 33 locations in 11 states, becoming the first Applied behavior analysis (ABA) franchise in the country. SOS hosts events across the country for children with autism, including the annual Autism Prom.
To watch a full recap of the annual Austin Prom for all SOS locations, visit https://youtube.com/watch?v=YJVK34wcBwE.