Avenues for Autism earns the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, which is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The CAC credential requires staff to complete an autism-specific training and certification program through IBCCES to ensure the team’s ability to meet the ever-changing needs of the autistic individuals they serve.
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, which is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The CAC credential requires staff to complete an autism-specific training and certification program through IBCCES to ensure the team’s ability to meet the ever-changing needs of autistic individuals.
Since becoming a Certified Autism Center™ in 2020, Carolina Therapy Connection Greenville (CTC) has built upon the certification principles by collaborating with other resources to create a stronger community. Its therapists are now going into ABA clinics to provide occupational and physical therapy services. As part of CTC’s ongoing commitment, team members recently completed additional training through IBCCES to meet renewal requirements and ensure staff have up-to-date knowledge and resources to enhance their skill sets.
The Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department has renewed its Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, to continue fostering a more inclusive and understanding community. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) worked with the Department to provide renewal certification program to ensure first responders have new and up-to-date information that builds upon existing knowledge to better assist and communicate with autistic or sensory-sensitive individuals, including scenario-based training.
The Redmond Police Department is now the first police department in Washington state to earn the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation which is granted by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations who complete autism training and certification programs. The training completed by the Department is designed to enhance officers’ knowledge and ability to assist and communicate with autistic or sensory-sensitive community members.
Autistic patients can prove to be complex and sometimes challenging for nursing staff to help treat. These patients may need additional time, patience, and understanding. To better provide services, healthcare professionals such as nurses who often work closely with patients and their families must have a deeper understanding of this neurodiverse population.
Hiring, retention, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies are keeping business owners, executives, and HR leaders up at night. At the foundation of these challenges are people who are both current employees and those who are unemployed and still looking for work. For this reason, neurodiversity is gaining greater awareness, and there are many reasons to pay attention and engage.
Since autistic individuals typically have difficulty communicating, it is natural that autism and SLPs go hand in hand. With a rising diagnosis rate of autism, it is extremely valuable for SLPs to consider specializing in this area, or to at least receive specific training, in order to support individuals who are on the spectrum.
During my travels to many autism conferences I have observed many sad cases of people with autism who have successfully completed high school or college but have been unable to make the transition into the world of work. Some have become perpetual students because they thrive on the intellectual stimulation of college. For many able people with autism college years were their happiest (Szatmari et al., 1989).
There’s a range of different CEUs available for occupational therapists, including free CEUs, subscription CEUs and options like autism certification that can help further their career.
These CEUs help them to serve people of all populations and ensure that they are prepared to give the best therapy possible.
One of these populations includes individuals who have autism, a lifelong condition that impacts the person’s development in social interaction and communication, among other things. Autism affects both children and adults and is the fastest growing disorder in the United States, making it imperative that OTs are familiar with the disorder and understand how to work with individuals on the spectrum.
