Functional Communication Training in Saudi Arabia, with Yaser Aljaaidi | TBT

Discover what’s possible when every child is given a voice. 

In many countries around the world, autistic students are effectively excluded from the education system, as schools often lack adequate resources to accommodate their needs. 

The work that our Global Autism Project Partners are doing around the world is fundamental to overcoming these challenges. By presuming competence, we can avoid setting unnecessary limits and instead build on each child’s capabilities. 

Today’s guest is Yaser Aljaaidi, the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Namaee Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and also the first Registered Behavior Technician to become certified in his country. The Global Autism Project partnered with Namaee from 2018 to 2023, and we sent several SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training. 

Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to Global Autism Project’s international partner sites and collaborate with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives in their communities. 

This conversation with Yaser was originally released on September 3rd, 2020. We are re-releasing it today to highlight the great work being done by Yaser and his team at Namaee, and to also announce that we currently have a SkillCorps team in Peru collaborating with our partners at MADI. Follow us on IG @globalautismproject to see the team in action! 

In today’s conversation, among other things, we discuss: 

• How autism is understood in Saudi Arabia and what services are available for families, from diagnosis to adulthood
• How Yaser began working with the autistic population
• Why he created the Give Me A Voice program targeting communication skills
• The challenges Yaser had faced and what he’s learned about leadership
• Advice for other practitioners who are thinking of starting their own centers
• Namaee’s partnership with the Global Autism Project and why Yaser admires our SkillCorps® volunteers

We’d like to give a shout out to our SkillCorps® 2024 Title Sponsor, Action Behavior Centers. We’re excited to be partnering with businesses to create opportunities for employee development and growth through our SkillCorps® program. SkillCorps® Business Partners endorse employee participation in our SkillCorps® volunteer program and provide support to selected employees through granting time-off, providing funds to help team members fundraise, and more! 

Thank you, Action Behavior Centers, for being a model organization in the industry. 

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