Join Our Mission! 8pg Booklet

Letter from Our Honorary Chair & Co-Founder

Dear Friend,

When Ernie and Liezl Els and I founded the Els for Autism Foundation® back in 2009, we could never have dreamt of the enormous support or success of our undertaking.

As we walk the grounds of our expansive 26-acre campus and witness the remarkable achievement that is The Els Center of Excellence®, we are continually amazed. To further highlight our accomplishments, this past August marked the opening of the $8 million Stoops Family Adult Services Building, a facility dedicated to specialized job training for young adults. While we have accomplished a great deal, there is still so much more we aspire to offer to autistic individuals and their families.

Our state-of-the-art campus was made possible thanks to our incredible supporters who understand the challenges that face the autism community. We invite you to read this brochure to learn more about those we serve and join our journey in helping others in need.

With great appreciation,

Marvin R. Shanken Founder and Honorary Chair

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often referred to as autism, is a complex developmental brain disorder that is often diagnosed in early childhood. Autism varies greatly from person to person but often impacts social skills, communication abilities, and behavior across the lifetime.

Forging a Path of Compassion and Excellence

Envisioning a World of Limitless Possibilities

In the past 14 years, Els for Autism has grown into an organization of 50 staff members with leading experts in various disciplines to advance our programs and services offered to individuals with autism. With doctoral level clinicians and researchers in the field of autism, people from around the world travel to our campus to learn from our team.

Els for Autism serves as a hub for the autism community, providing direct services to families from around the world. Of the nearly 71,000 people reached worldwide this year alone, caregivers are directly served on our campus or through telehealth.

At Els for Autism, we aim to lead the world in personalized programs for autistic individuals by sharing best practices and evidence-based interventions through published research and replicable models of intervention.

Our services span a lifetime, starting at 12 months with early detection and diagnosis, continuing through school years with early intervention and education, and extending into adulthood with therapeutic, recreational, vocational, and social support.

1 in 36

identified with autism in 2020

*Based on data collected by the CDC in 2020

Primary Impact Areas

Our three primary impact areas provide comprehensive lifespan services through:

Early Intervention Recreation

Early intervention services change the developmental trajectories of individuals with autism by maximizing their developmental potential. Our interventions can make a significant impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and communication skills.

We are actively transforming the culture of sports and leisure activities. People with autism are beginning to feel included and welcomed to participate in a recreational activities and even take lessons or group classes with sports professionals.

Adult Services

Adult services continue the necessary services individuals need when exiting the school system. Our services foster independence, confidence, and a sense of purpose by capitalizing on each person’s strength, needs, and interests.

Our dedicated team of autism service providers, which include doctoral level clinicians, have expertise in the following areas:

Applied Behavior Analysis

Education

Employment

Mental Health Counseling

Music Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Psychology

Speech-Language Pathology

Thriving Together Success and Growth in the Workplace

Only 58% of adults with autism are employed despite having the knowledge and abilities necessary for success in the workplace. Through our employment programs, we partner with businesses to recruit, hire, and train qualified and talented individuals with autism.

“Having individuals on the spectrum has really changed our culture.”

- Stephen LoGiudice

COO and General Manager at The Club at Ibis

Matthew started off working one day a week at The Club at Ibis but was then given the opportunity to increase his hours to work two days a week. Through the support of one of our job coaches, he learned his required tasks, which has furthered his skills and independence.

Dear Friends,

Striving for Excellence

Founders Ernie and Liezl Els

It is with great joy that Liezl and I reflect on the journey that brought us here today. Nearly 14 years have passed since we first dreamed of creating a place where the best and brightest in the autism community could come together under one roof. Even in our wildest dreams, we could not have imagined just how far this vision would grow.

The Els Center of Excellence stands today as a testament to what can be achieved when hearts and minds unite toward a common purpose. By actively recruiting the most experienced clinicians, educators, and researchers to join our team, we have assembled a powerhouse of talent and dedication.

In just a few short years, this incredible group has already produced ten peerreviewed research publications, with more on the horizon. Their groundbreaking work spans early intervention, sports and fitness, and evidence-based practices for supporting adults on the autism spectrum. We could not be more proud of the work done thus far and the vision of what is still to come.

When we opened the Center’s doors back in 2015, we hoped it would become a place of life-changing possibilities for people with autism. Today, we are thrilled to watch those possibilities unfold each day.

None of this would be achievable without our wonderful community. We hope you will join us in continuing the path of creating endless possibilities for people with autism of all ages and abilities. We can not wait to see what the next 14 years will bring!

With gratitude,

International Conferences

Over the past several years, Els for Autism has hosted four international conferences focused on sharing best practices for supporting and empowering autistic individuals. Worldrenowned experts in the field of autism, including our own doctoral-level staff, addressed the state of the science in autism, how to initiate and expand a neurodiverse workforce, and recreation as a supplemental intervention.

Our Doctoral-Level Degree Level Team Members

Ernie Els Founder Liezl Els Founder

Marlene Sotelo EdD, BCBA-D, MT-BC Executive Director

Erin Brooker Lozott EdD, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP Program Director

Michael Alessandri Ph.D. Board Chair

Robin Jones EdD Associate Director for Adult Services

Jose Martinez Ph.D., BCBA-D Autism Services Analyst

Nate Shanok Ph.D. Research Coordinator

Unparalleled Excellence

Headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, The Els Center of Excellence® campus is an unmatched, world-class haven hosting leading-edge programs and services for individuals with autism. Our 26-acre campus includes two education wings, a sensory arts garden, an adult services building, playgrounds, a nine-hole pitch and putt practice golf course, and dual-purpose basketball and tennis courts.

The Stoops Family Adult Services Building at The Els Center of Excellence campus is a place for individuals with autism to access the essential support and services needed during the transition to adulthood years and throughout life as an adult. Through our continuum of accessible services, we support and empower adults on the spectrum with diverse needs.

The Stoops Family Adult Services Building is a testament to our global mission of transforming the lives of individuals with autism and those who care for them through lifespan services and collaborative partnerships. Together, we strive to create a future where every individual with autism can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Our programs include:

Adult Day Training � Vocational Training � Social & Recreation � Employment � Therapy

As the year comes to a close, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to Els for Autism. Your contribution goes directly toward funding programs and services that enhance opportunities for individuals with ASD and their families.