Certified Autism Center™

IBCCES is an independent credentialing organization that was founded in 2001 with the goal to provide specialized training and certification to professionals working with autistic individuals and those with other cognitive disorders. IBCCES is a leader in the training and certification for cognitive disorders, including autism, with certificants in more than 110 countries across the globe.

• IBCCES works with an advisory board of specialists with expertise in neurology, psychology, behavior therapy, special education, travel, and other disciplines, as well as autistic self-advocates. This advisory board is actively involved and participates in creating the training programs offered by IBCCES, which is evidence-based and promotes best practices from experts in multiple disciplines.
• IBCCES does not believe there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Our programs provide best practices and learnings from subject matter and clinical experts, as well as the lived experiences of autistic self-advocates.

IBCCES offers industry and position-specific training, as well as individual professional credentials. Depending on an individual’s role and the professional setting, the focus of the training may vary. All programs include insights and strategies on how to best provide support to individuals with autism or sensory needs.

• The credentials and training are meant to supplement or build upon existing departmental and organizational regulations and rules, particularly in a safety or healthcare setting where professional protocols for patient or individual health and safety are already in existence.
• The IBCCES certification alone does not give individuals license to practice medicine (although some IBCCES credentials are approved for billing of therapy services in certain states).
• All staff that complete training through IBCCES must pass a competency exam specific to their training program to ensure comprehension.

The training and certification provided by IBCCES are specific to industry and position.

• For travel and leisure-related organizations, such as hotels, attractions, recreation and visitor services, staff are trained to better understand what autism is (and isn’t), how to empathize and understand how autistic individuals experience the world, communicate more effectively, and be aware of common sensitivities and concerns in a recreational environment.
• Corporate staff working toward workforce diversity and inclusion are trained on how to better attract and manage a neurodiverse staff in a professional setting.
• Firefighters, first responders and law enforcement are trained on autism sensitivity, empathy and understanding what autism is, communication strategies, as well as specific scenarios where they may encounter an autistic person and how to de-escalate or manage those interactions.
• Staff in healthcare or education settings receive more extensive training specific to autism, cognitive effects, co-occurring conditions, communication and behavioral strategies, as well as supporting research.

The purpose of the training and certification programs offered by IBCCES is to ultimately improve the experience and outcomes for autistic individuals and those with other related needs.

• The focus is on building understanding and empathy, as well as improving processes and options for individuals with these needs, and ensuring staff has appropriate tools and strategies when engaging with a neurodiverse population.
• 1 in 6 people have sensory needs or sensitivities and 1 in 36 children are currently diagnosed with autism (per the CDC). These impacts, along with the millions of undiagnosed adults on the autism spectrum, demonstrate the growing need to ensure professionals in all settings are trained and well-equipped to assist every individual.