The Dubai Autism Center (DAC) has announced the graduation of the first cohort from both the “Qualified Autism Services Practitioner- Supervisor” (QASP-S) program and the “Qualified Behavior Analyst” (QBA) program. This significant milestone reinforces its leadership in building specialized national capacities in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
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This achievement culminates a successful 2024–2025 academic year, during which the Center conducted 31 specialized training courses attended by 263 professionals, academics, and parents. The Center’s training model is distinguished by its integration of rigorous academic study with direct practical training within a real-world clinical environment, ensuring graduates meet the highest international standards.
The first graduating class of these programs consisted of 32 graduates, serving as the core of a new generation of specialists qualified according to the standards of the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA).
Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of the Dubai Autism Center, emphasized that the Center’s efforts to qualify specialized cadres are a direct response to the challenges facing the People of Determination sector, specifically the scarcity of globally qualified specialists in the region.
Mr. Al Emadi stated: “We operate according to a strategic methodology inspired by the vision of our wise leadership and aligned with the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination. Our top priority is preparing national and Arab cadres with the highest levels of specialization and competence. Our goal extends beyond providing therapeutic services; we aim to build a sustainable knowledge and human capital base to bridge the current gap. This ensures our children with autism receive the best possible care from experts who understand their identity and language, thereby enhancing the quality and future of services provided to this cherished segment of our society.”
Dr. Nicholas Orland, Chief Program Officer at DAC and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), highlighted the critical importance of the practical component of these programs: “We are not content with theory alone; we adopt an integrative model that gives trainees direct exposure and real professional experience within an actual clinical environment. This ensures their high readiness to perform their future tasks with efficiency and professionalism.”
