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Success on the Spectrum (SOS) will host its seventh annual Autism Prom on April 8, 2025. The organization, which was founded to promote social inclusion for families affected by autism, is hoping movie-action star Sylvester Stallone will attend.
According to SOS founder and autism mom Nichole Daher, the organization launched an online campaign in October to officially invite Stallone, and they have been tagging him on social media to try and get his attention.
Daher said Stallone’s participation would help SOS get its autism acceptance mission on the map. “If Sylvester Stallone attends the Success On The Spectrum Autism Prom, it would be a powerful statement of support and acceptance,” she told Houston Daily. “In a world where the public opinion about kids with autism is often negative, having the open support of a celebrity would demonstrate acceptance to the world.”
When it comes to advocating for her child, Daher said she can feel like it's her against the world. “I created this company to act as my microphone," she said. "If Sly would help SOS amplify our message, we can show the world that inclusion and understanding are both achievable and essential.”
Stallone, whose son Seargeoh was diagnosed with autism 40 years ago, has become “a symbol of resilience and understanding” in the autism community for his dedication as an autism parent, according to Daher. He has used his platform to spread awareness about the disorder, which affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S., and many of his films have been used as fundraisers.
“Like Stallone, Success On The Spectrum aims to make a better world for people with Autism,” Daher said. “Their common goal should be celebrated on the dance floor!”
Held every April for Autism Acceptance Month, the Autism Prom is a free sensory-friendly event for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. According to Daher, over 400 people have RSVP'd to next year’s event. Held at Seismique, an interactive museum in Houston, it will feature a dance floor with an elevated DJ booth and sensory-friendly activities for all ages and abilities.
Success On The Spectrum was founded in 2015 and is the first applied behavior analysis franchise in the country, according to its website. Since being franchised in 2018, it has grown to include over 50 locations in 16 states. SOS hosts events across the country for children with autism, including the annual Autism Prom.
For more information, visit the event page or https://successonthespectrum.com.