Setting a new standard for autism care

CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), becoming the first hospital departments in Texas to receive the designation. 

The designation is a distinction held by a limited number of organizations and recognizes healthcare providers who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to serving individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities.

To earn Certified Autism Center™ status, organizations must undergo a rigorous process that includes specialized autism training for staff, ongoing education requirements and an independent review by IBCCES.

At least 80% of patient-facing Associates must complete autism-specific training and certification, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to better support patients with unique sensory, communication and behavioral needs. This training is especially important in healthcare settings, where unfamiliar environments, sensory stimulation and communication barriers can make visits challenging for children with autism, helping caregivers adapt their approach to create a more positive experience for patients and families.

The Certified Autism Center™ designation was made possible through the support of Children’s Miracle Network and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation, which partnered to fund the application process and staff education required to achieve the designation. Their investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening pediatric care across East Texas by ensuring children with autism and sensory sensitivities have access to specialized, compassionate care close to home.

With its Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU becoming the first hospital departments in Texas to receive this recognition for pediatric care, CHRISTUS Health continues to set a higher standard for high-quality, patient-centered care, ensuring children and families throughout East Texas have access to healthcare delivered with expertise, empathy and understanding.

For 25 years, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.

To further support inclusivity efforts, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU are featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.

IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.

About CHRISTUS Health

CHRISTUS Health is an international faith-based, not-for-profit health care system based in Irving, Texas, with more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS Health is made up of 50,000 Associates providing compassionate and individualized care at more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and health ministries. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org

About IBCCES

Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 125 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.