Els for Autism® was established in 2009 by former World No. 1, World Golf Hall of Famer, and four-time Major Champion Ernie Els, his wife, Liezl, and publisher and founder of M. Shanken Communications, Marvin R. Shanken. The Els' son, Ben, is impacted by autism, which affects 1 in 36 children in the United States. *

Els for Autism has foundations in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are located at The Els Center of Excellence®, a 26-acre campus in Jupiter, Florida. The campus serves as a hub for the dissemination of innovative, evidence-based programs and services provided by the Els for Autism team worldwide. In fact, they have directly served individuals, families, and professionals in 37 countries.

Their team supports individuals starting at 12 months and continuing into adulthood in three primary impact areas: Early Intervention & Education, Adult Services, and Recreation. From diagnostics, early intensive behavior intervention (EIBI), applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, mental health counseling, employment services, and social & recreation programs, the Els for Autism team is dedicated to creating a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism and their families.

The Admirals Cove Foundation has supported Els for Autism in several ways, including volunteer efforts, coordinating with an Admirals Cove resident to donate a golf cart for on-campus operations, and providing grant funding to help offset costs for families participating in their Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Camp.

Every summer, children and young adults look forward to attending the Els for Autism Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Camp, where campers participate in a variety of activities, including golf, yoga/fitness exercises, art, music, and kickball, as well as on- and off-site field trips. But for one camper in particular, attending their summer camp was extra meaningful!

When it came to attending a summer camp, Macie (name changed to protect their identity) had always been told, “No,” or “She can attend, but we won’t make any accommodations for her.”  That all changed in 2023 when the Els for Autism Recreation Team received her application. “I could have literally hugged Greg [Connors, Els for Autism Recreation Manager] and added him to our will,” exclaimed Macie’s mom. “We were partially in disbelief that Macie was finally getting a spot at camp.”  

Already sharing a love for bike riding, swimming, bowling, and crafting, Macie was set to enjoy a fun summer at The Els Center of Excellence with fellow campers. But before adventurous and sassy Macie could arrive, careful planning was necessary. This was because Macie was born autistic, profoundly deaf, intellectually disabled, legally blind, unable to regulate her body temperature, and with a malformed bladder, rectum, and reproductive system. 

Els for Autism Program Director Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott contacted Macie’s mom, asking, “What do we need to do to accommodate Macie?”

This was a question her mom wasn’t used to hearing. “In the past, we were told by other camps, ‘We don’t understand her,’ or, ‘She needs to be potty trained to attend,’ or, ‘We don’t know American Sign Language (ASL).’” 

 Under Erin’s leadership, the recreation team and camp counselors prepared for Macie’s arrival. Each camp counselor received a laminated book of ASL keywords and directions to communicate with her, and Macie received a visual schedule to help her prepare for the day. “She was an entirely different child after the first week of camp,” said Macie’s mom.  

After her successful camp experience, Macie became a regular participant in the Els for Autism afterschool recreation programs. “I’ve been told she’s a yoga master! She loves tennis and golf – asking for tennis every morning when she wakes up.”

However, one of the most impactful moments for Macie occurred during one of their music sessions. “Because of her deafness, she has often been overlooked in this area or told, ‘She can’t hear.’ However, the Els for Autism staff included her without hesitation. They taught her to play the bells by matching the colors and got her to drum by feeling the vibrations.”  

The Els for Autism team welcomed Macie back to summer camp in 2024. “All the counselors and even some of the kids are learning sign language to communicate with Macie. She loves her friends there. She smiles and acts silly with the teachers. You can tell there is a peace about her.”

Els for Autism is once again thankful to the Admirals Cove Foundation for financially supporting its Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Camp. Many campers, like Macie, have benefited from its recreation programs and services, including camp.

To expand its recreation programs and services, Els for Autism launched a capital campaign to build a specialized, autism-friendly recreation complex. Once complete, the complex will include a gymnasium, aquatic center, and splash pad. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism. Sadly, the State of Florida reports the highest number of deaths among these children, and a study conducted over the summer found that Palm Beach County leads the state in drownings involving children with autism**.  This is why Els for Autism selected to include an aquatic center and splash pad within their recreation complex—so their team can teach specialized swim lessons and water safety on campus.

The Els for Autism team has surpassed 60 percent of its goal and will break ground on its specialized autism-friendly recreation complex next summer. To learn more about how you can support them in raising the remaining funds for the complex, scan this QR Code.

To learn more about Els for Autism and how their programs and services can support your family and friends worldwide, visit www.ElsforAutism.org.