Autism-Friendly Program At Dubai Autism Centre Secures International Accreditation From QABA

The Dubai Autism Centre has secured international accreditation for its Autism-Friendly Program from the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board. The decision confirms the programme’s scientific base and its link with Applied Behavior Analysis standards. It also supports Dubai’s role as a regional centre for social sustainability and inclusion, with direct benefits for organisations serving individuals with autism.

Launched in September 2022, the Autism-Friendly Program has grown from a local initiative into an internationally recognised certification framework. The accreditation follows a Memorandum of Understanding between the Dubai Autism Centre and the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, creating a long-term partnership that aligns environmental accessibility criteria with the established scientific principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties cooperate on standards that connect physical and sensory environments with behavioural science. The arrangement embeds Applied Behavior Analysis methods into practical assessment tools used by the Autism-Friendly Program. This approach aims to ensure that organisations can apply consistent criteria while meeting the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in diverse settings.

Mohammed Al Emadi, Director-General and Board Member of the Dubai Autism Centre, described the accreditation as a strategic development for the initiative. "The accreditation by QABA reflects the strength of the scientific foundations of the Autism-Friendly Program and its alignment with internationally recognised standards in Applied Behavior Analysis. It strengthens confidence among local and international institutions and creates opportunities to expand the programme’s implementation both regionally and globally," Al Emadi said.

Al Emadi noted that the Autism-Friendly Program is already influencing how organisations across Dubai address inclusion. "To date, 29 entities across the emirate have been recognised as autism-friendly destinations, supporting improved accessibility and service delivery that address the sensory and behavioural needs of individuals with autism across workplaces, educational settings, and public service environments," Al Emadi added, highlighting the initiative’s practical reach.

Dr. Mohammed Almutairi, Board Director of the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, emphasised the programme’s integrated design. "The Autism-Friendly Program brings together environmental standards and the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a highly integrated way," Almutairi said. "During the review process, we observed a strong commitment to scientific rigour, positioning the programme as a model that can inform the development of future global frameworks to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder."

Capacity building is a central part of the collaboration between the Dubai Autism Centre and the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board. Almutairi explained that professional development sits alongside accreditation activities. "By providing access to the 40-hour Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) training programme, the partnership strengthens staff understanding of ABA principles and helps link environmental adaptation to internationally recognised scientific practices," Almutairi said.

The training element and the growing number of accredited entities can be summarised as follows:

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Almutairi also stressed that the work extends Applied Behavior Analysis into wider community life. "The partnership supports QABA’s efforts to extend the use of ABA within community and public environments, alongside established clinical and training contexts," Almutairi said. This shift connects behavioural science with everyday environments, including workplaces and public services, rather than limiting its application to specialist clinical facilities.

International recognition now positions the Autism-Friendly Program as a professional reference for designing inclusive environments and for linking those environments to training and Continuing Education Units. The partnership supports joint research projects, external evaluations and regular reviews. Through this cooperation with the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, the Dubai Autism Centre advances a model that supports Dubai’s standing as a regional and global centre of excellence in social inclusion and social sustainability.

With inputs from WAM