Owned and led by the clinicians doing the work.
Autism Optimism is BCBA-led and BCBA-owned. We believe learning happens best through joy, connection, and play — and every decision about how we treat kids gets made by the people actually treating them.
Built by clinicians, not investors.
Our compassionate team provides assent-based ABA therapy that honors each child's voice while teaching meaningful life skills through fun, natural interactions and individualized treatment. Every clinician is trained in compassionate care, communication development, and individualized learning strategies — because a program only works if the child actually wants to be there.
That's the difference between a corporate ABA chain and a practice two BCBAs still run themselves: low caseloads stay low, and a clinical decision doesn't need to clear a regional manager first.
Quality isn't a bonus in ABA; it's the standard every child deserves.
Clinician-led. Child-respecting. Family connected.
Low caseloads
Deeper BCBA involvement and more thoughtful clinical oversight per child.
Quality over quantity
Ethical, individualized treatment — not a high-volume corporate model.
Real-life progress
Skills are designed to carry into home, school, and community life.
Transparent partnership
Consistent communication and caregiver involvement at every step.
Two clinics, one clinical standard.
Our Argyle clinic is led by Heather Gotcher, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, who founded Autism Optimism around a simple idea: therapy works better when a child's own comfort and interests drive the session.
Our Houston clinic is led by Saleem Zaher, M.A., LBA, BCBA, Founder & Clinical Director – Houston, who brings extensive clinical leadership experience to high-intensity cases and is committed to compassionate, data-driven ABA care.
Every RBT across both clinics is trained in communication development and individualized learning strategies before working with clients.