Children’s Medical Center enhances care for kids with autism and their families by becoming a Certified Autism Center™

The Children’s Medical Center at JHAH Dhahran has become the first healthcare facility in the Eastern Province to be designated a Certified Autism Center™ by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

Visiting a hospital can be a daunting experience for a child with autism, and stressful for their parents and caregivers, too. That is why the Children’s Medical Center at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has completed a program of intensive training and education to become a Certified Autism Center™.

In doing so, it has become the first healthcare facility in the Eastern Province to receive the designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in cognitive disorder training and certification that draws its expertise from autistic self-advocates and other specialists in the field.

“All our staff in the Children’s Medical Center, from the security and reception teams to the doctors and nurses, are committed to offering the best possible care for children with autism,” Dr. Amel Alawami, consultant developmental behavioral pediatrician at JHAH, said. “With this important certification, they now have an even deeper understanding of the specific behavioral and sensory needs of kids with autism, and best practices for supporting family members and caregivers who accompany them.”

As well as obtaining the Certified Autism Center™ designation, the Children’s Medical Center at JHAH has itself been fine-tuned to better serve the needs of children with autism.

Careful consideration has been given to the atmosphere of the center to ensure that children with autism are as comfortable as possible during their visit. This includes ensuring that as much sunlight as possible enters the facility, the smell of hospital cleaning products is minimized, and soundproofed rooms are available for consultations. The center is also planning to introduce low-noise blood pressure cuffs that apply less pressure to the child’s arm, and a “sensory box” with specialist toys designed to soothe neurodivergent children.

Staff talk calmly and considerately to children with autism and work with parents and caregivers to create the best possible atmosphere for the child during their visit. Clinicians note down each child’s preferences in their medical record — such as the toys they enjoyed playing with, the room they found the most calming, and the manner they preferred to communicate — to ensure they can create the best environment for the child during their next visit.

There is also help on hand for parents and caregivers of children with autism who are struggling with mental health issues. A social worker is available for one-on-one counseling with any parent or caregiver who requests assistance.

Dr. Alawami said: “The IBCCES certification highlights our excellence in autism care and ensures we are equipped with the latest expertise to support every child who visits the Children’s Medical Center. But our work continues: Our patient-first culture means we are constantly seeking to enhance the care we provide to neurodivergent and neurotypical children alike.”

Dr. Hanan Al Shaikh, Chair of the Women and Child’s Health Department at JHAH, said: “This certification is testament to our unwavering commitment to continuously improve the experience for patients, families, and caregivers in the Children’s Medical Center. We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.”

To become an IBBCES Certified Autism Center™, at least 80% of staff must be highly trained in the field of autism, and the facility must commit to ongoing training and education to remain a leader in the field. Clinical staff must pass an exam to complete their training.

Some 90% of staff at JHAH’s Children’s Medical Center completed the IBBCES training.

The Children’s Medical Center, located in the JHAH Dhahran campus, offers a comprehensive suite of primary and specialty care services all conveniently housed under one roof. The center includes 14 specialty clinics, nutrition and diabetic educators, a developmental and behavior unit, pediatric rehabilitation teams, and a specialist counselor.

Learn more about the Children’s Medical Center at JHAH.