CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU Achieve Certified Autism Center™ Status

CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU Become First Hospital Departments in Texas to Earn Certified Autism Center™ Designation

TYLER, TX, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), becoming the first hospital departments in Texas to receive the designation.

The designation is a distinction held by a limited number of organizations and recognizes healthcare providers who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to serving individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities.

“This designation reflects the passion and dedication our caregivers bring to their work every day,” said Taylor Weathers, clinical director of the PICU. “Families trust us during some of their most vulnerable moments, and this achievement demonstrates our commitment to creating a personal and accessible environment where every child feels understood, supported and cared for.”

To earn Certified Autism Center™ status, organizations must undergo a rigorous process that includes specialized autism training for staff, ongoing education requirements and an independent review by IBCCES.

At least 80% of patient-facing Associates must complete autism-specific training and certification, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to better support patients with unique sensory, communication and behavioral needs. This training is especially important in healthcare settings, where unfamiliar environments, sensory stimulation and communication barriers can make visits challenging for children with autism, helping caregivers adapt their approach to create a more positive experience for patients and families.

The Certified Autism Center™ designation was made possible through the support of Children’s Miracle Network and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation, which partnered to fund the application process and staff education required to achieve the designation. Their investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening pediatric care across East Texas by ensuring children with autism and sensory sensitivities have access to specialized, compassionate care close to home.

“Every child deserves to feel safe and supported while receiving medical care,” said Darcy Stiefer, child life specialist for the pediatric program. “This designation validates the work our team has done to better understand the needs of children on the autism spectrum and reinforces our commitment to making the hospital experience as comfortable and compassionate as possible.”

“CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Tyler Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU are demonstrating what it looks like to create a more welcoming and supportive healthcare experience for children with autism and their families,” said Myron Pincomb, CEO and Board Chairman of IBCCES. “Their commitment to understanding the unique needs of patients with autism and sensory sensitivities reflects the meaningful impact that specialized training and education can have on patient-centered care. We’re proud to recognize their efforts and the important example they are setting for healthcare providers across Texas.”

With its Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU becoming the first hospital departments in Texas to receive this recognition for pediatric care, CHRISTUS Health continues to set a higher standard for high-quality, patient-centered care, ensuring children and families throughout East Texas have access to healthcare delivered with expertise, empathy and understanding.

###

About CHRISTUS Health
CHRISTUS Health is an international faith-based, not-for-profit health care system based in Irving, Texas, with more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS Health is made up of 50,000 Associates providing compassionate and individualized care at more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and health ministries. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org

About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 125 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality, and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification, and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare, and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.

Meredith Tekin
IBCCES
+1 904-508-0135
marketing@ibcces.org
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
X
Other

Media gallery