Our team at the Foundation has been working diligently, shifting many programs and services from in-person to virtual.  Our goal is to help families keep some routines as they navigate this difficult time.

One of the largest virtual endeavors has been a six-week virtual summer camp, providing opportunities for individuals to actively engage with staff and peers while participating in a variety of activities. Campers have been busy with at-home scavenger hunts, story building, guest instructors, and even virtual golf! A special theme each week keeps campers engaged and excited for new activities. Highly skilled staff in the areas of recreation, speech and language, behavior analysis, fitness, special education, and music therapy facilitate the activities and provide support to enable individuals to participate in activities with their peers.

This summer’s virtual camp was made possible through a donation from the Admirals Cove Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of The Club at Admirals Cove, a private community in Jupiter, Florida. Admirals Cove Foundation is improving lives outside of their gates by making a meaningful impact in the areas of local health, education and social services in Palm Beach County.

“Since 2015, Admirals Coves Foundation has been a generous supporter of Els for Autism,” Nicole Poundstone, Development Manager at Els for Autism said. “Their commitment to our cause means more now than ever.”

When a young adult with autism has just graduated high school, what is their next step? Like any young adult, there are different paths they may take. Some may continue to further their education at university, while others will seek paid employment within the community.

There is another population of young adults with autism who have complex needs and may require a higher level of assistance and support transitioning into adulthood.

The Foundation has created a solution to fit these specific individual’s needs through its Adult Day Training (ADT) program, a daily life enhancement program to provide participants the tools to live productive, meaningful lives and opportunities for inclusion into their communities. The program uses the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to provide an environment that supports and nourishes personal growth, learning, empowerment, and self-determination.

Julie Lobdell, ADT Program Coordinator, expressed her excitement about kickstarting the new service at the Foundation.

“The day we gathered in the conference room and told the families they were accepted into the pilot session will forever be ingrained in my mind,” Julie said. “The look on their faces said it all. They were so thankful!”

The initial pilot session served six participants and ran for two days a week. The program has since grown to 12 participants spanning four days a week. A new 3:1 ratio has opened up the program to individuals who require additional assistance.

The program offers activities within the areas of communication, daily living, health/wellness, and employment, focusing on each participants’ individualized learning needs. Activities have ranged from learning to care for animals to partaking in water Zumba classes.

Typically, the participants learn best with in-person instruction along with hands-on activities, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the team needed to think outside of the box to create a meaningful curriculum that allowed for online instruction to take place. Julie and her team embraced the challenge, working quickly to create engaging virtual vocational and independent living lessons.

Julie created a variety of presentations that essentially include all that the program offered onsite. The participants even took a virtual field trip via PowerPoint that had pictures of a previous field trip to a horse farm.

Wende Banks-Henderson said her son, Foster, struggled with the transition to virtual learning at first, however, when he started following the schedule and saw the interaction with others, he looked forward to getting on Zoom.

Though the participants have not been able to engage in physical activities together for the past few months, they are still able to strengthen their skills through online recreation classes.  Participant Shaun Deason, said he “enjoys learning about music, practicing drums, and loves yoga, which helps him focus a bit more.”

Participants have also experienced growth within their relationships through this new online learning.

“They have developed a good bond with one another, for example, if someone were late signing on, or not going to be on for the day; the others would ask where they were,” Julie said.

Overall, the program has accomplished a good deal under Julie’s direction and the commitment of the ADT team. Although these past few months have been difficult, it has only made the program­­—and its participants grow stronger.

Since the inception of the Els for Autism Golf Challenge in 2011, Gary Gauba has been an active supporter and participant. A successful entrepreneur, with a history of transforming start-up businesses, Gary adeptly took on the role of Golf Challenge chairman, spearheading a west-coast regional tournament each year since 2014.

Over the years, Gary has shown his genuine passion for bettering his community and giving to causes close to his heart. He has not only made significant monetary contributions to the Els for Autism Foundation, but he has also contributed his creativity and business acumen to improve events. He is known for placing his spin on his west-coast regional tournaments by adding wine tastings and putting contests. Additionally, he is an active partner in the Foundation’s fundraising programs, regularly contributing innovative ideas to drive annual giving efforts.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of fundraising changed drastically. In keeping the health and safety of event participants a priority, the Foundation canceled or rescheduled all fundraisers from March through July. These changes have unfortunately impacted multiple golf challenge events the Foundation’s most significant fundraising activity.

Yet even in these difficult times, Gary’s dedication to Els for Autism knows no bounds. Armed with a can-do attitude and a silver lining vision, he suggested that the Foundation host a virtual poker tournament to enhance its fundraising efforts in 2020.

So, in just a few weeks, the Foundation’s event team quickly planned its first-ever Poker Night, with Gary playing an active role in inspiring his network to get involved and driving participation.

The Foundation is looking forward to hosting the virtual poker tournament on July 30, 2020, with participants around the globe playing to help those with autism spectrum disorder. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Foundation’s ongoing programs and services.

“We are truly grateful to all who have continued to support the Foundation throughout 2020,” Paige Scollard, Events Manager for Els for Autism said. “We are honored to have supporters like Gary, who continue to go above and beyond to help us in any way they can.”

To register for Poker Night, visit our website: https://www.elsforautism.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/poker/

The Els for Autism Golf Challenge events will kick-off in August. You can view the schedule and learn about the event social distancing guidelines here: https://e4agolf.com/

In April, Els for Autism Foundation began offering a virtual support group called “Sibs Stick Together” a group for siblings of individuals with autism. The Foundation had initially planned to hold the group in-person; however, as concerns about COVID-19 spread, the support group shifted online.

By this time, many siblings had been at home with their siblings with special needs for weeks.  The program team quickly realized how now, more than ever, siblings needed support and a safe space to share feelings.

“We are learning that when we provide support to the family, including siblings, we end up bettering the lives of the population we originally intended to serve,” Kimberly Rivieccio, Mental Health Counselor at Els for Autism said.

The virtual group allowed participants to log in from anywhere in the world to receive counseling, learn new coping skills, and connect with others.

In June, the Autism Science Foundation and the Els for Autism Foundation collaborated to create a series of four webinars, “Sam’s Sibs Stick Together,” with Samantha “Sam” Els, the daughter of founders Ernie and Liezl Els, serving as the ambassador and panel moderator.

“Sam’s Sibs Stick Together project is game-changing,” Erin Brooker Lozott, Clinical Director & Global Support at Els for Autism Foundation, said. “It is an initiative based on the philosophy that support generates ability.”

A spin-off of the “Sibs Stick Together,” support group, the goal of the series is to further research involving siblings and provide them with a support mechanism and means for connection.

“Siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder often take on a behind the scenes role in their family, though they frequently have just as great a need for support as does their brother or sister,” Erin said. “Focusing on siblings and their mental health moves their position from behind the scenes to center stage, assuring they can continue to provide invaluable support and insight to their families while also receiving care for themselves. Mental health and wellness are essential components in leading a happy, productive, and healthy life.”

The webinar series began with Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of Autism Science Foundation, presenting research findings that focused on siblings and discussed resources available for siblings of all ages.

The panelists shared how their families helped support their relationships with their siblings, what they wish they could tell their younger selves, and factors that improve resiliency. Sam Els openly shared anecdotes about her experiences and relationship with her brother, Ben Els, who is on the autism spectrum.  The panelists quickly bonded over their experiences.

“I love seeing the instant connection these siblings have at various ages,” Kimberly said. “Many of them will enter helping professions.”

The webinar series will wrap up with a final webinar on August 14, 2020 at 2 p.m. EST.

Stay tuned for future programs focused on supporting siblings.