Multi-Purpose Care for Autism | With Nafisa Obi, Founder of Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, we’re joined by Nafisa Obi, licensed speech-language pathologist and co-founder of Essential Speech & ABA Therapy.

What began as a single outpatient speech therapy clinic in 2017 evolved into a multidisciplinary autism care model offering speech, occupational, and ABA therapy under one roof. Nafisa shares how fragmented care was burning out families and clinicians alike, and why collaboration became central to their mission.

Today, Essential Speech & ABA Therapy operates 18 clinics across corporate and franchise locations, expanding access while staying grounded in empathy, integrity, and excellence in care.

Topics we cover:

• Why fragmented autism care creates burnout for families

• Delivering speech, OT, and ABA therapy under one roof

• Conducting shared assessments across disciplines

• Using a single documentation platform for alignment and transparency

• Scaling through franchising without compromising culture

• Leading with empathy while maintaining accountability

• Treating families as part of the care team

📚 Book recommendation:
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny