When Brad and Susan Fenton noticed that their young son wasn’t gesturing or pointing during story time, they didn’t immediately think of autism. Like many parents, they sensed something was different. But as subtle signs added up, they decided to seek answers and eventually received a diagnosis that would set the course for the rest of their lives.
That moment, filled with a conflicting mix of love, concern, and the overwhelming urge to help their son, was the spark that led to the founding of Abacus Therapies.
What began as a deeply personal journey quickly grew into something larger: a family-owned ABA therapy practice that now helps children across South Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia lead happier, more connected lives.
Building a Therapy Practice from Love
In those early days, the Fentons looked for guidance, explored therapy options, and tried different approaches. Some therapies had elements they loved. Others felt incomplete.
As Brad Fenton shared, they were a little apprehensive about referring people to the providers they were using. “We liked this piece from one place, that piece from another. Nothing felt whole”.
And rather than accept that fragmented care was the norm, Brad, his wife Susan, and their close friends Sep Niakan and Stephanie Bienstock, decided to create something better. “We didn’t know exactly what it would look like, but we knew we could figure it out”, Brad pointed out.
That mindset, one rooted in empathy, determination, and a desire to help, became the foundation of Abacus Therapies.
ABA Therapy with a Developmental Lens
Initially, they knew they wanted to offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy—a widely accepted approach that breaks down complex skills into smaller, teachable steps. For children on the autism spectrum, this structure is crucial.
But Abacus didn’t stop there.
Drawing from their own parenting experience, Brad and Susan realized something many clinics overlook: not every behavior is a behavioral issue. Often, it’s developmental.
“If you’re trying to teach a four-year-old who’s developmentally still a baby to talk, you’re going to end up with a frustrated kid and frustrated parents,” Brad explained.
That insight inspired Abacus to go a step further.
That’s why every therapist receives extra training in developmental principles, so they’re not just treating symptoms, but truly understanding where a child is in their growth journey so they can meet them there.
Take something as simple as a teacher leaving a classroom, for instance. A child might scream or act out, not out of defiance, but because their brain hasn’t yet developed the visual-spatial processing skills to understand that the teacher is coming back.
“It’s like they disappeared into thin air. That’s scary. And when you know these things, you understand where the child’s reaction is coming from”, Brad says.
A Bridge Between Parent and Child
Like many parents of autistic children, Brad once struggled to connect with his son. He felt like he was doing everything possible to engage, but it wasn’t working.
“Then I’d watch our therapist do something simple, and suddenly, my son was engaged, talking, responding. That’s when I realized therapy can be a bridge. A way to help parents truly connect with their kids”, he recalled.
That’s why at Abacus, the therapy is a resource for the entire family.
“We want kids to feel good in their skin,” Brad says, and that idea became central to the Abacus philosophy: strong family relationships, confident children, and a commitment to mental health that goes beyond clinical checklists.
“We want the kids to love themselves. It matters to us as much as any skill they learn”.
Family-Owned and Proud of It
In a landscape where many therapy centers are being bought up by private equity firms, Abacus is proudly family-owned. Brad sees that distinction as more than symbolic.
“When therapy becomes a numbers game, you lose the purpose. Our focus is joy. We want kids to not even realize they’re in therapy because they’re smiling, playing, and growing in a space filled with light and love”, he said. And families feel it.
When the Abacus center opened in Charlotte, NC, parents came up to Brad, telling him it was a godsend, that they finally understood their child, and that their family life was better. “What more could we ask for?”, Brad shares.
So, What’s Next for Abacus Therapies?
Growth. But not the kind measured in spreadsheets. The team is focused on organic expansion, opening more centers, training more therapists, and continuing to refine an approach that puts children and families first.
That means shadow support for inclusion in schools, welcoming environments for in-center therapy, and a holistic mindset that honors the emotional and developmental needs of each child.
And through it all, the Abacus team remains at the heart of the mission. Although it is complicated work, “our team makes it look easy. They show up with smiles, handle the hard operational issues behind the scenes, and make sure every child feels seen, supported, and safe”, he affirms.
At the end, if there’s one message Brad hopes families take from his story, it’s to let go of the guilt, the fear, the obsession with getting everything right.
“The past can’t be changed, and the future isn’t here yet. All we have is now. And when you stay present, when you choose to connect, to love, to grow in this moment, that’s where the peace of mind parents crave is”, he concludes.
Abacus Therapies is based on that belief. And every family it helps is living proof that something beautiful can grow from the hardest beginnings.
Now that we’ve shared our story, we invite you to share yours. Feel free to call or text us at 954-758-8748 or 954-400-3251, or request a free consultation if you want to know more about Abacus Therapies.
