When Mahvish Gilani opened SOS Bridgewater, her goal was simple but bold: create an autism services clinic centered on ethical care, individualized support and meaningful outcomes for children and their families. Today, that vision has grown into a model that continues to expand—most recently with a new 9,000-square-foot facility coming to East Brunswick.
Gilani’s personal experiences inspired the opening of her first location, but it was the unmet needs of families that shaped SOS’s larger mission. Unlike many clinics that accept every child who walks through the door, SOS prioritizes determining whether the center is the right fit—sometimes recommending alternative programs better suited to the child’s needs. For one parent, being turned away proved “life-changing,” as it helped guide them to more appropriate support. That honesty, Gilani says, is rare in the industry.
Building a Team That Invests Back
From its early days, SOS has focused on maintaining small caseloads and high-quality staffing. The Bridgewater location now employs 41 team members, including four Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)—double what most clinics its size staff. Gilani herself recently earned her BCBA license, becoming the fifth provider on site.
That emphasis on expertise is shaping the next generation of providers, too. Four technicians are currently pursuing their master’s degrees to become BCBAs, inspired by the clinic’s culture and mentorship. “We’ve created an environment where people not only enjoy being here but become passionate about the field,” Gilani says. Once licensed, these team members will help support SOS’s continued expansion.
The investment in staff reflects a larger priority: ensuring each child receives focused, ethical and developmentally appropriate care. Ratios remain one-to-one, and children benefit from an interdisciplinary team that includes speech and occupational therapists.
Expanding Space, Capacity and Community Impact
Summer demand highlighted a challenge—SOS simply didn’t have enough room. In response, Gilani signed a lease to expand the Bridgewater clinic from 5,000 to nearly 12,000 square feet. The goal is not just to serve more families but to serve them more thoughtfully.
With a larger footprint comes a wider community presence. Gilani hopes to build stronger pathways between early intervention programs, clinics and schools—areas where families often experience confusion or gaps after receiving a diagnosis. “There’s no manual of what to do next,” she says. “Each transition—early intervention, ABA, and then school—is daunting. We want to make it easier.”
A New Level of Leadership
Gilani’s newly earned BCBA license brings additional perspective—and responsibility. She now sees both parent and clinician viewpoints and has a deeper understanding of the ethical commitments required in her field.
The industry’s ethics code, she explains, is strict for a reason: children with autism are vulnerable, and history has shown how easily systems can fail them. Having this license has heightened her awareness of unethical practices elsewhere—and increased her sense of obligation to advocate for change. “I feel more responsible now to say something or do something,” she says.
Looking Ahead: Advocacy and Influence
In the next five years, Gilani hopes to expand SOS’s footprint into additional communities and eventually into other states. But her long-term goal reaches beyond opening new clinics.
She wants to use her platform, experience and credentials to influence policy, improve cooperation with school districts and help shape a more inclusive and informed approach to autism services throughout the region.
As SOS grows, Gilani hopes to leverage her presence in multiple municipalities to highlight what’s working—and what needs to change. “Ultimately, it’s about having the ability to advocate for what these kids need and enact real change,” she says.
For more information visit successonthespectrum.com/location/bridgewater.
“Each transition—early intervention, ABA, and then school—is daunting. We want to make it easier.” - Mahvish Gilani