Abdullatif AlFozan Autism

What Abdullatif AlFozan Autism does

Abdullatif AlFozan Autism Center (brand name: Afaq / آفاق) is a nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, established on February 2, 2020, under the Al Fozan Group for Community Service. The center provides comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, educational, and rehabilitation services for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages 2-21, using an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) methodology. It operates from a 14,085 square-meter purpose-built facility designed by British autism architecture specialist Simon Humphreys, the largest autism center in the Middle East, and holds accreditation from the UK's National Autistic Society (NAS).

The center's service portfolio includes specialized diagnostic assessments, speech and communication therapy, sensory room sessions, physical therapy in an adapted gymnasium, technology and computer lab programs, and an integration program placing students into general education schools in partnership with the Ministry of Education. It employs 300 multi-disciplinary staff (95% Saudi nationals, 60-70% female) serving approximately 240 beneficiaries, and operates supplemental programs including the Afaq Autism Club, Sahm Afaq summer program, annual Professional Forum, and April awareness campaigns.

The business model is non-commercial: services are delivered free-of-charge to families, with operations fully funded through a charitable donation by Sheikh Abdul Latif bin Ahmed Al Fozan and supplemented by government operating agreements, notably with the Ministry of Education, a strategic MoU with Saudi Aramco, and partnerships with the Saudi Health Council, multiple Saudi universities (KFUPM, IAU), and international institutions including NAS (UK) and the University of Auckland. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and there is no equity ownership or VC/PE involvement; the entity is structured as a nonprofit under its parent foundation.

Name

Abdullatif AlFozan Autism

Legal name

مركز عبداللطيف الفوزان للتوحد (Abdullatif AlFozan Autism Center)

Website

https://afac.org.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Abdullatif AlFozan Autism Center (Afaq) is a Saudi nonprofit in Al Khobar operating the largest autism center in the Middle East, delivering diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services to 240 children and young adults with ASD (ages 2-21) via 300 specialized staff in a purpose-built 14,085 m² facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Rehabilitation and Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Diagnostic & Educational Assessment Services (EDAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Autism rehabilitation services
• Special education programs
• Autism diagnostic services
• Speech and occupational therapy
• Developmental disorder center

Headquarters

HQ city

Al Khobar

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational and Rehabilitation Services: Specialized educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder ages 2-21. Funded through government partnerships including Ministry of Education operating agreements and charitable donations from Al Fozan Social Foundation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Abdullatif AlFozan Autism Center (Afaq) provides comprehensive autism spectrum disorder services including diagnosis, individualized educational programs, multi-disciplinary therapy (sensory, speech, physical), and school integration programs for children and young adults ages 2-21. The center also delivers professional training, family support, awareness workshops, and community outreach from its 14,085 square meter purpose-built facility in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Product overview

Abdullatif AlFozan Autism Center (also known as Afaq) operates as a unified autism rehabilitation and education facility spanning 14,085 square meters, making it the largest autism center in the Middle East. The center provides integrated services through specialized departments including diagnostic services, individualized educational programs, therapy services (sensory, physical, speech), and integration programs for children ages 2-21. The center employs 300 multi-disciplinary staff serving 240 beneficiaries, with Saudis comprising 95% of the workforce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Autism Diagnosis and Consultations Comprehensive autism spectrum disorder diagnostic services and educational consultations for children and families, including initial diagnosis, re-diagnosis, and educational consultations.
• Specialized Therapy Services Multi-disciplinary therapeutic services including sensory rooms, physical therapy gym, technology and computer labs, and speech and communication therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders.
• Individualized Educational Programs Customized educational and rehabilitation plans tailored to each child's abilities and needs, serving children and young adults ages 2 to 21 years, built around individualized educational plans (IEP).
• School Integration Program Mainstreaming program integrating students with autism into general education system, considered a fundamental pillar of the center's operations, delivered through partnership with the Ministry of Education.
• Professional Training Programs Continuous professional development programs for staff and awareness programs for parents, including specialized, educational, and enrichment training, delivered with the National Autistic Society (UK).
• Summer Program (Sahm Afaq) Annual summer program offering cultural and educational activities including trips to museums and interactive learning experiences for individuals with autism.
• Annual Professional Forum Annual professional forum bringing together autism specialists to discuss autism-related topics and best practices in the field.
• Afaq Autism Club Club programs for individuals with autism, offering workshops and skill development activities including early autism detection training for specialists.
• Volunteer Registration Program Volunteer opportunities and training programs for community members interested in autism awareness and support.
• Awareness Month Activities Annual autism awareness campaigns during April featuring workshops for professionals and parents to build awareness and provide tools that make a difference.

Quantifiable outcome

• 240 beneficiaries served with specialized autism services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and moderate.

• Al Fozan Social Foundation (الفوزان لخدمة المجتمع)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization and primary supporter. The center is one of the initiatives of Al Fozan Social Foundation under the Al Fozan Group. Sheikh Abdul Latif Al Fozan fully funded the center's construction and operation.
• Saudi Aramco (أرامكو السعودية)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic MoU signed to serve beneficiaries of autism spectrum disorder in the Eastern Region. Joint programs for children and families affected by autism.
• Ministry of Education (وزارة التعليم)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperating agreement with Ministry of Education for educational services. The center received official license from Ministry of Education to provide educational services for autism. Partnership includes integration programs for students with autism in general education schools.
• National Autistic Society (NAS) - UKcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational accreditation partner. The center holds NAS accreditation for meeting highest international quality standards in autism services. Also provides training programs including TEACCH in collaboration with NAS.
• Regional Center for Quality and Excellence (RCQE) - UNESCOmajorTechnology or IntegrationRegional Center of Excellence for Quality affiliated with UNESCO. Collaboration on quality education initiatives.
• Saudi Health Council (المجلس الصحي السعودي)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Saudi Health Council for comprehensive healthcare services for individuals with autism.
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration for research and knowledge sharing in autism field.
• Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research collaboration and professional development in autism services.
• Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Development FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment fund providing support for programs serving individuals with autism.
• University of Auckland, New ZealandmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions for joint training programs between the center and University of Auckland in autism intervention.
• Prince Mohammed bin Salman Program for Autism and Developmental DisordersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized team from the program visited the center to explore collaboration opportunities in autism services.
• Prince Sultan bin SalmanmoderateOthersVisit by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to review center programs and services.
• Arabian Gulf UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit by university president to explore collaboration in autism field and joint research opportunities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kuwait Center for Autism: Nonprofit specialized autism center in Kuwait offering educational, therapeutic, and family support services. Comparable in mission, age range, and center-based delivery to Afaq's Al Khobar operation.
• Dubai Autism Center: Nonprofit dedicated autism center in the UAE providing diagnostic, educational, and therapeutic services to children with autism. Closest regional peer to Afaq given shared Gulf mission, age range, and center-based service model.

Regional players

• Prince Mohammed bin Salman Program for Autism and Developmental Disorders: Saudi national autism initiative focused on capacity building, training, and awareness across the Kingdom. Highly comparable as a domestic Saudi peer competing for the same government mandates and donor visibility.
• Qatar Autism Society: Qatari nonprofit providing autism awareness, family support, and educational programs in the Gulf. Comparable Gulf-region peer focused on similar advocacy, training, and family engagement services.
• Saudi Autism Society: Saudi nonprofit advocating for and supporting individuals with autism and their families through awareness, training, and family services. Comparable regional peer in awareness, family support, and professional training verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Seattle Children's Autism Center: Hospital-affiliated autism center offering diagnostic, therapeutic, and family support services. Comparable in multidisciplinary clinic model and integrated therapy/school-readiness approach, though embedded in a larger hospital system.
• May Institute: Large US nonprofit providing autism and developmental disability services across schools, homes, and clinics using ABA and other evidence-based models. Comparable as an established, multi-site specialty services nonprofit at much greater scale.
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): One of the world's largest autism services organizations, providing ABA therapy, diagnostic, and school integration services globally. Comparable in core therapy and educational services, though delivered across many clinics rather than a single flagship.
• Cleveland Clinic Autism Center: Hospital-affiliated autism program providing diagnostic, behavioral, and therapeutic services as part of a broader health system. Comparable in multidisciplinary, evidence-based service delivery and integration with broader care networks.

Others

• National Autistic Society (UK): UK charity and the accrediting body behind Afaq's NAS accreditation. Highly relevant as the standards-setter and training partner whose TEACCH programs are used at Afaq, rather than as a direct operational competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afac_autism
• Instagraminstagram.com/afac_autism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afac-sa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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