IBCCES Autism Certified

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The Town of Queen Creek strives to accommodate all residents and visitors, and in an effort to enrich opportunities for individuals and families with autism, the Parks and Recreation Department recently completed a training and certification program through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The designation of Certified Autism Center (CAC) helps create a more inclusive environment in community spaces. As part of the certification process, IBCCES also reviewed key parks and community resources and has provided observations and sensory guides (available below) for visitors and residents to the area. IBCCES CAC

Becoming a CAC is just one way Queen Creek is working to expand opportunities for people of all abilities. Queen Creek’s newest park, Mansel Carter Oasis Park, includes inclusive-focused play equipment. Through a partnership with Banner Ironwood Medical Center, the entire area has poured rubber surfacing, including the sand play area, allowing people of various abilities to play alongside one another. The park also includes signage highlighting the importance of play for the health and wellbeing of the community, which is further supported through the CAC designation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 59 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism, and the diagnosis rates have risen in past years.

Parents with children on the autism spectrum often struggle when looking for recreational options, due to specific needs and sensory sensitivities, as well as a lack of information on places they want to visit or activities they want to engage in. IBCCES recognized these limitations and created certification programs specifically designed to help recreational and travel related organizations understand how to be more welcoming and accommodating. For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism and cognitive disorder training and certification, working with education, healthcare and corporate professionals to ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals with these disorders.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center (CAC) requirements.

To review the facility observations and sensory guides please use the drop down menu below. 

Library Recreation Annex
Desert Mountain Park
Founders' Park
Mansel Carter Oasis Park

About IBCCES

Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are the only training and certification programs endorsed by the largest grassroots autism organization in the world, The Autism Society of America, and recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.