Marshall Scuba Swim and Safety has become the first dive shop in Asia to earn the designation of Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). The CAC designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), means that visitors and families with children who are on the autism spectrum can enjoy the best possible experience that caters to their needs when they’re learning to dive.

Marshall Scuba Swim and Safety is in Malaysia, only ten minutes from the border with Singapore. Achieving this designation complements the long-standing efforts of Marshall’s owner and main instructor, Kenneth Tuttle. Kenneth has taught swimming for over three decades. Marshall Scuba and Swim Safety offers all levels of scuba instruction, along with instructor training to work with students on the autism spectrum as well as those with other cognitive and physical disabilities.

“As a secondary teacher and administrator, I’ve had the experience of having students with ASD in my classes, as well as working with other teachers who have had ASD and special needs students in their classes. The program was highly enlightening in giving depth to the intricacies of ASD. Even having had prior experience, I found there is huge value in this program,” said Kenneth Tuttle, owner and instructor of Marshall Scuba Swim and Safety. “We are thankful to the IBCCES for developing these programs, as the credential, and its recognition by the Autism Society, provide an inherent level of credibility to our dive shop, and our desire to work with this underserved population.”

For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for licensed healthcare professionals and educators around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many individuals with autism, as well as families with children on the autism spectrum, are looking for opportunities to learn new skills in a safe environment. Since many people with autism are drawn to water, learning to scuba dive could be one of those options with additional training for instructors. In response to this need, IBCCES partnered with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) to provide evidence-based training and certification to its members.

“We are thrilled to expand the global footprint of Dive Centers that have sought professional training and been granted the CAC designation,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman, “ Marshall Scuba Swim and Safety has blazed a path for other centers in Asia to follow.”

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists destinations, attractions, and organizations that have completed autism-specific training and certification.  Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.