The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is proud to announce that Sowt Specialist Medical Center has earned the esteemed designation as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) — a milestone that signifies a deep, institutional commitment to advancing accessibility, operational excellence, and patient-centered care for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals across the region.
This certification reflects Sowt’s proactive investment in staff readiness, operational efficiency, and community trust, transforming the center from a traditional healthcare provider into a trusted destination for comprehensive, inclusive services. By equipping its team with specialized training and best practices, Sowt not only enhances the quality of care but also builds a foundation of excellence that drives long-term institutional value and sustainable growth. An onsite review will be conducted by IBCCES to ensure the property integrates necessary accommodations, pre-arrival planning tools, and other supportive resources that enhance the experience for neurodivergent visitors.
“At Sowt Specialist Medical Center, we believe that every individual deserves the right to be heard, understood, and supported,” says a Sowt spokesperson. “Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ reflects our ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, evidence-based care for individuals of all ages. This milestone strengthens our mission to empower families and create a community where everyone can thrive.”
Sowt’s multidisciplinary approach spans speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA), mental health services, and educational support, delivered by a team of highly qualified and internationally trained professionals. Their work extends beyond clinical care — the center actively leads community workshops, educational lectures, and collaborative initiatives with schools, museums, non-profits, and healthcare institutions to ensure that inclusion extends into every corner of society.
“Certification is more than a credential, it’s a catalyst for meaningful change,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO and board chairman. “It reflects an organization’s readiness to lead, its commitment to continuous improvement, and its dedication to creating environments where all individuals feel valued and supported. Sowt Specialist Medical Center’s leadership is setting a new standard for inclusive healthcare in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
For more than two decades, 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, Sowt is 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 AccessibiltyCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.
About Sowt Specialist Medical Center
Based in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Sowt Specialist Medical Center is a multidisciplinary clinic offering comprehensive rehabilitative and mental health services, including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA, Mental Health Services, and Educational Support. Guided by the belief that every individual deserves a voice, Sowt empowers people across the lifespan to thrive, improve their quality of life, and actively participate in their communities.
For more information, visit www.sowtcenter.com.
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 leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 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.
