The Els for Autism Foundation team has been awarded a multi-year million-dollar grant from Make Waves Foundation to develop and launch the U Can Employ initiative.

The Make Waves Foundation empowers and supports youth and adults with neurological, intellectual, and physical challenges that defy expectations. “In the next ten years, a half million individuals with autism will transition into adulthood. We are proud to support the U Can Employ initiative that will set companies up for success to employ individuals with autism,” says Donna Roth, Founder and Director, Make Waves Family Foundation. “Our goal is to support people with autism and other developmental disabilities so they can live meaningful, happy lives and be productive, valued community members.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Make Waves Foundation and their leadership in paving the way to further establishing an inclusive workplace for people with ASD,” said Dr. Marlene Sotelo, Executive Director, Els for Autism. “Through the U Can Employ initiative, we aim to increase employment opportunities for individuals with ASD by providing the necessary training, consultation, and support to companies looking to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”

The U Can Employ initiative is a significant step in creating a more inclusive workplace, as investors and shareholders increasingly recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in environmental, social, and governance investing. In addition, research has found that companies already employing individuals with disabilities report an 89% higher retention rate, a 72% increase in employee productivity, and a 28% increase in profitability.

This groundbreaking program will provide direct training, support, and consultation to large and small companies interested in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retaining employees with ASD. Furthermore, this program will be accessible to companies of all sizes through varying tiered membership services, including free access to downloadable tools and webinars.

The first U Can Employ pilot site launched with Next Level Distribution, a distributor of consumer electronics and 12V products this month. A second pilot with SBA Communications Corporation, a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including towers, buildings, rooftops, distributed antenna systems (DAS), and small cells, is set to launch this fall. The specialized group of consultants, powered by the Els for Autism team, will work closely with both companies to provide consultation to their HR team to recruit, hire, onboard, and retain employees with autism and related disabilities.

For more information about the U Can Employ initiative, please contact the Els for Autism team at info@elsforautism.org.

It’s important to remain active and engaged during summer. Individuals with physical disabilities and/or developmental disabilities who participate in activities experience increased self-confidence and overall quality of life. Programs available at the Els for Autism Foundation® for adults to consider this summer include: 

The Spoken Wheel Society: A social group for adults with autism founded by Merrick Egber, an adult with autism. Each month the group meets both on campus at The Els Center of Excellence®, virtually, and in the community to participate in social and leisure activities. For more information or to become a member of The Spoken Wheel Society, contact our Employment Specialist/Job Coach, Kaylan Wrightson at 561-598-6200 or Kaylan.Wrightson@elsforautism.org.

The Adult Connections Club: An online club designed to provide individuals 13 years of age and older opportunities to interact with peers in a safe and supportive environment using video conferencing technology while practicing social and communication skills. Els for Autism® staff facilitate meetings, providing support and guidance so individuals of all abilities can actively participate in the group. Each meeting will follow a schedule, including a welcome introduction; a review of expectations; a stretching routine; fun facts; and a variety of discussion topics, games, and activities.

The Spectrum Book Club: A book club is designed for individuals ages 18 and older with autism or developmental disabilities who enjoy exploring the world of literature. Participants do not need to own a copy of the book. During the meeting, participants will be able to see the story, and Els for Autism staff will facilitate the group. Participants may take an active role as a reader during the meeting, or they can choose to listen to their peers. At the end of each meeting. staff will lead the group in a discussion and Q&A.

For more information on our Connections Club or the Spectrum Book Club, contact our Recreation Services Manager, Greg Connors at 561.598.6200 or by email at greg.connors@elsforautism.org 

We are currently finalizing our Rec Schedule for fall. Stay Tuned!

We all look forward to the summer months since there are so many fun activities and family vacations to enjoy. Here are our tips for a successful, fun summer!

Swim Safety:
Swimming is a fun activity that most families engage in during the summer months. However, it is critical for children with autism to learn how to swim and engage in the water safely, as drowning is the number one cause of death in autism, and Florida leads the way in child drownings resulting in death. To ensure water safety is part of your child’s summer, enroll your child in swimming lessons, use caution when using flotation devices, keep all doors locked, including pool gates, and never leave your child unattended when near water.

Additional information and resources on water safety and drowning prevention can be found on the Autism Society of Florida website.

Access a financial voucher for swimming lessons through The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County.

To expand the recreation activities available at The Els Center of Excellence® campus and to provide individuals with autism with a full range of recreation choices, Els for Autism has launched a Capital Campaign to support funding a Gymnasium, Aquatic Center, Splash Pad, or other offerings at the Recreation Complex. The Aquatic Center will be a multipurpose facility to serve the needs of individuals with ASD, their families, and the community. In addition, the Ernie Els GameOn Autism® Aquatics program will be offered at the Aquatic Center to further ensure individuals with autism learn to swim and stay safe in the water. Support our Capital Campaign for the Recreation Complex – Els for Autism.

Going out in the community may be difficult for some people on the spectrum due to their individual sensory needs. However, scheduling community outings in sensory-inclusive settings can enhance the experience an individual with ASD or another developmental disability has in the community. Things to consider when looking for a sensory-friendly community-based experience include but may not be limited to locations with reduced sound levels, limited to no flashing or strobe lights, minimal special effects, and spaces specifically designed for individuals with ASD to take a break. A few sensory-inclusive experiences to consider this summer include:

Sensory Saturdays
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is open for special exploration hours the first Saturday of every month from 9 – 10 a.m., specifically designed for families affected by autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing or cognitive challenges, or other guests requiring assistance for disabilities.

Family Fun at Mounts Botanical Garden
From a giant outdoor fort and maze to towering moai statutes, a gorgeous butterfly garden, and the opportunity to feed the koi fish, MBG has much to offer youngsters – and the young at heart! Sensory backpacks are available at Mounts Botanical Garden to support children and families.

Sensory-Inclusive Performances | Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ sensory-inclusive performances are intended to create a welcoming and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum and individuals with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities.

For youth transitioning into adulthood, it’s an exciting time, but it can leave you with questions. Our Associate Director, Robin Jones, M.S., M.Ed, has tips for a successful transition into adulthood over the summer.

• Register for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
  VR is a federal-state program that helps people who have disabilities understand the options available to find, get, or keep a better job. If employment is your goal, and you are not already registered with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), this is a great place to start. Els for Autism is a VR provider and has a suite of Employment Programs and Services.
• Become a Self-Advocate
  Enrolling in a Self-Advocacy Training course prepare individuals on how to communicate their strengths, abilities, interest better, and needs when interviewing with potential employers or applying to trade schools, colleges, or universities. Our self advocacy training is available to transition aged youth, ages 14 – 21.
• Get to know your available Social Services, Funding, and Resources
  Learning about the many social services, funding, and resources available to individuals with autism transitioning to adulthood will help you prepare for post-secondary life. To learn more visit the websites below.
  Medicaid Waiver: Agency for Persons with Disabilities
  Vocational Rehab Services: Vocational Rehabilitation
  SSI: Social Security Administration
  Transportation: Palm Tran Connection
  Additional Resources: Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disorders (FAU CARD)

A Post by Merrick Egber

With May 14 being Mother’s Day, we wanted to share the stories of three mothers from different backgrounds who have worked for the Els for Autism Foundation® to give people with autism better lives.

Our first mother is Liezl Els, the Co-Founder of the Els for Autism Foundation. She is the visionary of the one-stop-shop model for any autism treatments and therapies and the mother of Ben Els. Liezl is hard at work validating our Global Mission and Vision statement ‘Where Possibilities are Endless.’ In addition, her daughter, Samantha ‘Sam’ Els, runs a sibling support group called Sam’s Sibs Stick Together Room that meets every third Tuesday monthly.

Our second mom, Pam Minelli, founded the Autism Project of Palm Beach County. Without her presence, the wealth of autism services in Palm Beach County would be more impoverished. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors at the Els for Autism Foundation.

Our third mother is Shelly Hedge, who has been our point person for accounting for eight years. She was hired around the time that I was and now has the position of controller. Her son, Collin Hedge, has participated in many of our programs and services. Her daughters also have supported him and other individuals with autism through their work with autism communities.

What were your first impressions upon hearing the son’s diagnosis of autism?

Liezl: “My reaction when Ben was officially diagnosed was not very dramatic as it was a mere formality for us at that stage. We already knew/suspected he was on the spectrum. But, for most parents, it probably comes as a bit of a relief as it gives you direction and support going forward.”

Pam: “It took us a while to diagnose Andrew. All the experts told us he didn’t have autism because he had excellent eye contact. We were finally relieved to get the diagnosis, so he could receive more services and enroll in preschool.”

Shelly: “Honestly, I was somewhat devastated to think he would not experience the same joys, love in relationships, and long-term independence. It was a flood of emotions.”

How did you adapt to your son’s new challenges?

Liezl: “We were lucky in the sense that Ben was an easy baby and toddler. Our lives didn’t have a        drastic change other than the interventions. Our changes came gradually over the years as he slowly fell further and further behind his peers in his development.”

Pam: “I speak for most parents in that your entire world revolves around caring for and advocating for your child. Those first few years of tests, assessments, ABA, speech, OT, and physical therapy were all-consuming. So early on, my husband and I established Wednesdays as our date night, which made a massive difference over the years.”

Shelly: “Collin was diagnosed at 13 months, so we immediately sought resources and programs to help him with his educational and therapeutic programs. We entered him in Early Intervention Program at St. Mary’s and subsequently found ABA, SLT, & OT for him as supplements. It was pretty overwhelming but gave us focus on his future goals.”

What was most rewarding about having a son with autism?

Liezl: “Ben’s laugh and constant wish to make others laugh was definitely the biggest blessing. He made all of us appreciate the smallest things in life. Things that before we took for granted, like crawling and walking, every milestone hit became a celebration.”

Pam: “Probably the unconditional love we receive from Andrew every day. I still get to snuggle and smother my 25-year-old son with kisses every day. We didn’t have to go through the terrible teens with Andrew. He hugs us every time he sees us!”

Shelley: “The community of individuals who have come into our lives, including therapists, teachers, parents, neighbors, co-workers, and even those in the community who have a unique understanding of or interest in autism and what the needs associated with it are.”

What advice would you give new mothers about having a child with autism spectrum disorder?

Liezl: “I think the most important thing to remember is that, just like no two individuals on the spectrum are the same, no two families will cope with it the same way. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and make peace with them. Love your child unconditionally and cope with life in the best way for YOUR family. You must find the rhythm for your family and make it work. We are all just trying our best to keep things together.”

 Pam: “I always advise Mom – get your child on the Medicaid Waiver waiting list with the Agency for   Persons with Disabilities!”

Shelly: “Consider the diagnosis a gift in understanding that not everyone is the same, allowing you to alter your goals for the future. Also, it is not the end of the world, as there are so many considerations to consider. You will find support along the way, and it will be manageable.”

What would you say if you came face-to-face with yourself in the beginning stages of motherhood?

Liezl: “If I saw myself, I would say, ‘RELAX,’ you will be OK.”

Pam: “If I came face-to-face with myself, don’t worry much about Andrew. You’ll all be OK.”

Shelly: “There is no time limit on the successes or growth of Collin. At the time, we thought if he did not speak before age 5, he would be non-verbal. However, each person has individual strengths, and even if he does not follow the ‘typical’ growth, he will still have a happy, joyful life that may not match the standards. Also, the people you will encounter on this journey will surprise you!”

What resources did you use to support you as a mom and your child?

Liezl: “At the start, just after being diagnosed, we used Autism Speaks. Over the years, we would try whatever worked best with Ben as we were living in the UK, and the resources were far more limited than in the US. We eventually moved to the US to start his school life at The Learning Center. Ernie had announced at one of his tournaments that Ben was on the spectrum, and from that point on, we had so many e-mails from people wanting to help. It was both heartwarming and overwhelming. A lot of excellent information came out of those letters, and if it weren’t invasive, we would try it. You quickly learn that you must ensure these suggested methods are evidence-based, or you will drive yourself and your child insane.”

Pam: “The Learning Center and The Learning Academy charter schools were a great source of support for many years for Andrew and our family. Andrew was supported in our home through Positive Behavior Support’s ABA services, and FAU-CARD was a great resource over the years. Our friends and family were also a loving support system!”

Shelly: “When he was little, our entire focus was to improve his learning skills. We enrolled him in over 30 hours of services for all modalities.”

What resources do/did you use that are provided by Els for Autism?

Liezl: “We, as a family, use just about everything we can from Els for Autism. Ben is a happy member of The Learning Academy and has also started with a few hours per week in the Adult Day Training program. Our favorite thing is the rec programs with dance being his all-time favorite.”

Pam: “Andrew attends Els for Autism’s Adult Day Training program Monday through Friday. We are all very excited about the opening of the new Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services building, where Andrew will have more opportunities to work on his communication, social and vocational skills. We are so grateful to Ernie, Liezl, Samantha, and Ben Els for everything they have done for our family and many more families in Palm Beach County and worldwide.”

Shelly: “So many, including the Adult Day Training program, speech language therapy, and all the rec programs (tennis, fitness, golf, yoga, kickball, music, and art). He has also participated in vocational rehab. We are so grateful and fortunate to have these programs available to him as an adult! We are so looking forward to the continued growth of the Adult Services with the new building and programs!”

Thank you Liezl, Pam, and Shelly for sharing your stories. Show your appreciation to the mothers who cared for you, showed you support, and guided you when you needed to find a way through.

This month’s podcast has a special guest, Gyasi Burks-Abbott, who wrote “My Mother’s Apprentice: An Autistic’s Rites of Passage,” where he will talk about being raised by a single mother. His journey as a child with autism is one of the many reasons he received the 2022 Autism Spectrum Award from Els for Autism. My Co-Host, Dr. Nate Shanok, will also discuss a study that measures the impact of mothers on children with autism.

West Palm Beach, Florida (April 13th, 2023) – April is World Autism Month. Recently, we partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Palm Beach County for the Lecture Series: An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Mental Health.

Our very own Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott, Ed.D, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP, explored her expertise as the Director of Programs for the Els for Autism Foundation® while providing an in-depth review of the autism spectrum disorder condition, associated characteristics, and common co-occurring disorders.

Lozott said relationships with organizational partners, like NAMI, are crucial. “NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.”

With 85% percent of autistic children also having some form of co-occurring Psychiatric Diagnosis and 73-81% of adults with ASD meeting the criteria for at least one current co-occurring psychiatric disorder, individuals with autism, their caregivers, professionals in the field, and autism organizations must combine forces with NAMI, both in research and in practice for actual change to occur. “NAMI’s new initiative to begin offering education and resources on autism has the potential to be transformational as access to sound support and services for people with autism and mental health has been previously limited. Therefore, knowing I would be a part of combining the fields and resources available to people affected by autism and mental health was significant to me both professionally and personally.”

During the lecture series, attendees also heard from FAU CARD’s Cheryl Checkers, President of NAMI PBC, who spoke on the importance of females receiving a proper autism diagnosis. “Cheryl Checkers is a well-respected and seasoned licensed mental health counselor and NAMI board member. Cheryl has been a trailblazer in the field of mental health and autism. Her presentation on females on the spectrum was educational, innovative, and inspiring.

“I hope the information shared in both my and Cheryl’s presentations will spread beyond the attendees as this knowledge is necessary to maximize the outcomes of people with autism and mental illness.”

Progress in connecting mental health with autism has been made; however, there is still room for improvement. “We have university programs integrating information on autism into the training and licensure requirements of students working to become mental health professionals. And now global organizations, such as NAMI and Els for Autism Foundation, are collaborating and sharing information with families ensuring access to research-based information and resources.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it is important to continue working together to generate the best outcomes for our communities!