AFAC becomes first in Saudi Arabia to earn IBCCES student wellbeing accreditation

Abdulatif Al Fozan Autism Center in Al Khobar has become the first center in Saudi Arabia to earn IBCCES’s Accreditation for Comprehensive Student Wellbeing. The designation highlights the center’s training, facilities review and student support model for autistic and sensory-sensitive learners.

Why it matters: - Abdulatif Al Fozan Autism Center (AFAC) is now the first center in Saudi Arabia to earn the Accreditation for Comprehensive Student Wellbeing™. - The designation is meant to recognize learning environments that support student wellbeing, inclusion and access for autistic and sensory-sensitive students. - The accreditation can also help families identify centers that have met IBCCES certification standards.

What happened: - IBCCES announced that AFAC earned the Accreditation for Comprehensive Student Wellbeing in October 2026. - AFAC is located in Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. - The accreditation makes AFAC the first center in the Kingdom to receive this recognition. - AFAC is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which lists certified locations and sensory-friendly spaces.

The details: - AFAC met IBCCES requirements that included specialized training and certification for at least 80% of student-facing staff. - AFAC completed a comprehensive facilities audit and committed to ongoing professional development during the accreditation term. - The training covers student wellbeing, autism and neurodiversity, mental health awareness, trauma-informed practices, behavioral support, accessibility and inclusive education. - IBCCES conducted an onsite review of AFAC’s facilities and operations. - The review assessed existing practices, accessibility, sensory considerations and opportunities to improve the student experience. - AFAC’s environment includes structured learning spaces, clear circulation routes, sensory and calming areas, visual supports, careful lighting and sensory conditions, therapy and activity spaces, technology-supported learning environments and outdoor areas. - AFAC also supports families, develops professionals, promotes autism awareness, contributes to research and strengthens inclusive practices in the wider community. - AFAC has also won the Fourth Edition of the King Salman International Award for Disability Research in the Universal Accessibility category.

Between the lines: - The accreditation gives IBCCES a regional foothold in school-level wellbeing certification in Saudi Arabia. - AFAC is using the recognition to position itself as a model for autism services beyond direct education, including family support and community inclusion. - IBCCES is signaling a broader strategy built around training, onsite review and renewal requirements rather than one-time certification. - The center’s emphasis on sensory design and operational review suggests the accreditation is as much about environment and systems as it is about staff training.

What's next: - AFAC said it aims to help set a benchmark for excellence in autism services and extend autism inclusion across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and beyond. - IBCCES said it will continue providing training, support, onsite reviews and renewal requirements to maintain standards over time. - Families and users can find AFAC through the IBCCES Accessibility App, while other IBCCES tools include AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com.

The bottom line: - AFAC’s accreditation gives Saudi Arabia its first IBCCES-recognized center focused on comprehensive student wellbeing and raises the bar for autism-support services in the region.