Bahoz Center earns Certified Autism Center designation

IBCCES says Bahoz Center in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has earned Certified Autism Center status after staff completed autism-specific training. The designation is meant to strengthen evidence-based support for children with neurodevelopmental, learning, behavioral, communication and sensory needs.

Why it matters: - The Certified Autism Center designation signals that Bahoz Center staff have completed autism-specific training aimed at improving support for children with neurodevelopmental, learning, behavioral, communication and sensory needs. - The certification is intended to help families find providers that offer more consistent, evidence-based and family-centered care. - Bahoz Center’s listing on the IBCCES Accessibility App gives families a way to identify a certified location in Erbil.

What happened: - IBCCES announced that Bahoz Center earned the Certified Autism Center™ designation in June 2026 in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. - The designation recognizes Bahoz Center’s focus on autism support, professional training and a more informed environment for children with diverse developmental needs. - Bahoz Center is now featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, a free tool that points users to certified locations and sensory-friendly spaces.

The details: - Bahoz Center staff completed autism-specific training during the certification process. - The training is designed to deepen understanding of autistic individuals and people with sensory sensitivities. - The program covers practical, evidence-based strategies for care, therapy, communication, behavior support and family engagement. - Bahoz Center says the shared training helps children receive consistent support across services and team members. - Dr. Suha Ahmed, clinical lead psychologist at Bahoz Center, said the certification journey strengthened the team’s shared framework for supporting children and families. - Hemin Jalal, director of Bahoz Center, said the certification reflects the center’s commitment to international standards of excellence in autism and neurodevelopmental services. - Bahoz Center opened in Erbil in 2015 as a specialized day-care and rehabilitation center. - The center supports children and young people with neurodevelopmental, learning, behavioral and emotional challenges. - Bahoz Center serves children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, global developmental delay, speech and language disorders, motor coordination and sensory integration difficulties, tic disorders, behavioral and emotional difficulties, anxiety and depression. - The center offers comprehensive assessment, therapy, rehabilitation and family support tailored to each child’s strengths and needs. - IBCCES said its certification and training programs have been used for 25 years and operate in more than 111 countries in 8 languages. - IBCCES also offers resources through AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com for families looking for certified locations and professionals.

Between the lines: - The certification fits a broader push in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq toward more specialized neurodevelopmental services as awareness and demand grow. - For Bahoz Center, the designation may help build trust with families while giving the center a recognized credential tied to staff training and accessibility. - IBCCES is using certifications, apps and directory tools to make certified providers easier to find for families and visitors.

What's next: - Bahoz Center says it will continue expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based support for children and families. - IBCCES will continue to promote certified locations through its app and online directories as more organizations complete certification requirements. - The certification also positions Bahoz Center for future collaboration with families, educators and community partners around individualized support plans.

The bottom line: - Bahoz Center has added a formal autism-support credential that could make the Erbil center more visible to families seeking trained, evidence-based care for children with neurodevelopmental needs.