The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) proudly announces that Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders achieves the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. This recognition highlights the organization’s commitment to delivering inclusive, specialized, and high-quality services for autistic individuals and those with sensory sensitivities.
“Achieving certification through IBCCES marks a major milestone for KADD as the first Certified Autism Center™ in Iraq. Our mission is to bring international standards of care to our region by implementing evidence-based practices, investing in continuous staff training, and creating an inclusive environment that supports every child and family with dignity and respect” said Shwan A. Rashid, Founder and CEO of Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders.
As part of the certification process, over 80% of staff at Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders complete comprehensive autism-specific training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to better understand sensory needs, support behavioral responses, and enhance overall service delivery. The certification also includes a review of facilities and programs to help ensure alignment with leading accessibility standards.
The CAC designation aligns with the organization’s broader vision to deliver structured, multidisciplinary support tailored to the needs of each individual. By integrating evidence-based practices into daily operations, Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders ensures that services are delivered with consistency, quality, and measurable impact.
This achievement strengthens the organization’s position as a growing leader in inclusive care within the region. Individuals benefit from more supportive and structured environments that promote engagement, development, and independence, while families gain access to trusted services grounded in international standards.
“We are honored to work with Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders as they take this important step toward advancing accessibility and inclusion,” said Myron Pincomb, CEO and board chairman of IBCCES. “Through this certification, the organization is setting a strong foundation for delivering high-quality, consistent support to autistic individuals and those with sensory needs in an environment designed to foster understanding and long-term success.”
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, KADD is now featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, a free tool that provides individuals with disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide—including iconic experiences such as NH Collection Dubai The Palm—the app ensures seamless, enjoyable experiences for all visitors.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibilityCertified.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 Kurdistan Academy for Development Disorders
KADD Center is a premier specialized facility located in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, dedicated to first international-level autism center in Iraq” and “evidence-based programs supervised by international experts. Providing comprehensive therapeutic services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), and Physical Therapy. Spanning 1,000 square meters and established in collaboration with international experts, the center serves as a leading hub in the region for empowering children with developmental and sensory needs.
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.
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