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!

Sue Abramowski – Human Services Professional, Advisory Board Member

“The world needs all kinds of minds, we’re not all meant to be cookie cutters.”

Jessica-Jane Applegate – Professional Swimmer

“Ignore what anyone has to say. If you believe that you can, you can do it”

Rachel Barcellona – Pageant Professional, Autism Spectrum Award Winner 2017

“I show people that I can do anything despite my disability. Be yourself no matter what, and don’t let others define who you are.”

Andrew Blitman – Tutor and Mentor – Firewalls Centers, Advisory Board Member

“Asperger Syndrome
– Autism –
As I may have it,
Is a developmental disorder
That affects the way
People grow up
Psychologically
And neurologically.
We are, in most situations,
Completely intact intellectually.”

Everett Borislow – Morning Receptionist, DJ – Els for Autism Foundation

“I would say that my executive functioning is both a blessing and a curse. It can help or hurt in a way.”

Dani Bowman – Head of DaniMation Studios – an Animation Company

“English is my 2^nd language. Autism is my first”

Gyasi Burks-Abbott – Writer, Public Speaker, Organizationalist, 2022 Autism Spectrum Award Winner, Advisory Board Member

“In ASD success is a spectrum. You don’t need to be an inventor, author to be a success story.”

Tracey Cohen –Marathon Runner

“Despite societal norms, every individual, on and off the autism spectrum is unique. These differences should be celebrated, not feared or ridiculed. And despite these uniqueness’s, we are all really much more similar than we are different.”

Joshua ‘Deersey’ Deer – Assistant Equipment Manager at Lone Star Brahmas/NA3HL Texas Brahmas, 2015 Els for Autism Spectrum Award Winner

“As a golf instructor, I wanted to teach kids with no disabilities as well as kids on the autism spectrum to help them understand the different areas of the game of golf, so that the kids could become good golfers and I can help them with their talents. And for the kids on the autism spectrum, I work hard to give them the passion for the game of golf just like me”

Mike DiMauro – UberEats Driver, Advisory Board Member

“A person with ASD should be in a community that is loved, kind and with the encouragement to succeed.”

Merrick Egber – Communications Specialist – Els for Autism Foundation, Chair of the Advisory Board

“I was born with this, an integral part of my personality, but I will say that whenever you are down, I possibly will feel down with you, and whenever I feel up, I will feel up with you.”

Carly Fulgham – Technology Project Lead – National Bank, President of Autism Society of America

“When we’re desperate for oxygen, we all look the same.”

Dr. Temple Grandin – Professor of Animal Husbandry, Colorado State University.

“The world needs all kinds of minds”

Nick Hine – Royal Navy Second Sea Lord

“I am extremely focused, I love solving problems and finding the most efficient way to do things. I am excellent at making rational decisions based on data. I don’t ‘trust my gut’ – I need evidence before I make any decision. I have always been very honest and frank in my style of communication and have a relentless drive to find outcomes. Being in a nuclear submarine with no windows and very few distractions was the perfect place for me. I could just focus on my job.”

Anthony Ianni – Center – Michigan State Spartans, Motivational Speaker

“Remember we are all different in many ways, but in the end we are all the same because we are created equally and we ARE all people.”

Jim Hogan – Chief Innovation Evangelist & Accessibility Leader – Google, 2020 Autism Spectrum Award Winner

“When I say “I feel like I belong at Google,” that doesn’t mean that every day is my best day ever. There are things that happen here that can be very hard on people. Performance reviews can be humiliating, just because two people may not see the world the same way. The best advice I give to managers is to lead with their hearts – if there’s a problem, don’t cast people out, try to understand them. If you lead others with your heart, their outcomes will probably be supercharged.”

Adam Jones – Barn Attendant at Madison Fields, Autism Spectrum Award Winner 2018, Advisory Board Member

“It takes a whole community to help someone with ASD. It takes everyone as a whole.”

Dr. Kerry Magro – National Speaker, 2022 Autism Spectrum Award Winner, Advisory Board Member

“ASD doesn’t come with an instruction guide. It sometimes comes with a family that never gives up.”

Billy Mayfair – Professional Golfer

“I know it’s helped my game, and it explains why sometimes I am that athlete that can really focus better than other people and other golfers did. Of course, I used to think that was normal, but I know now that this helped me in that way.”

Gloria Mendoza – SAP S/4HANA Technical Quality Manager, 2016 Els for Autism Spectrum Award Winner

“Probably the best part about working {At the SAP Autism At Work Program} is that I can use the skills which I have studied whilst being among people that understand who I am and how I’m different from everybody else,”

Haley Moss – Attorney, Autism Spectrum Award Winner 2019

“I want to see a world where people with disabilities achieving things is a norm rather than an exception. It isn’t a surprise when you see a person with autism practicing law or doing something amazing in the world.”

Wentworth Miller – Actor ‘Prison Break’, ‘The Flash’

“This isn’t something I’d change … immediately being autistic is central to who I am. To everything I’ve achieved/articulated.”

Paul Morris – Assistant, New York Medical College of Human Resources – Advisory Board Member

“When I was a little boy I didn’t know I was different. I did not know how to handle friends. I was non-verbal till age 5. I had to be taught how to speak, how to listen, how to think. The years were hard. Sometimes I just didn’t understand, but look at me now!”

Elon Musk – Entrepreneur and Business Magnate

“I found it rewarding to spend all night programing computers, just by myself. Most people don’t enjoy typing strange symbols into a computer by themselves all night. They think that’s not fun. But I really liked it.”

Gary Numan – Solo Artist ‘Cars’

“You know, they talk about Asperger’s people as being obsessive, as if that’s a bad thing. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, it gives you skills, which in certain professions are incredibly useful, and I don’t know if I would be here without them, I don’t know if I’d have the drive.”

Isabelle Piwnicki – Retail Associate – Girl AGain, Operations Assistant – Sephora, 2021 Autism Spectrum Award Winner

“I was diagnosed with autism when I was two and a half. I have been dancing since I was 8 because dancing allows me to not only live but also to be myself with the freedom to be me.”

Alex Plank – CEO – Wrong Planet, LLC

“Social Skills training..like stories…don’t work….The best way to learn social skills is through trial and error.”

Katie Santoro – Medicare Clinical Note Reader – Cardinal Health, Organizationalist, Advisory Board Member

“The world should know that just because one is verbal and has a job, they still have challenges. Please recognize and respect our challenges.”

Ron Sandison – Professor of Theology at Destiny School of Ministry. Advisory Board Member.

“My dad at first told me, don’t tell people about your disabilities. Let them see your gifts and focus on those. But it was actually the disability in me sharing that where people were able to connect. Every person has some weakness or some limitation, but our limitations are a good thing because they make us an expert in other areas or areas that we’re stronger in. As we use our strengths, we compensate for our weaknesses.”

Dr. Stephen Shore – Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education – Adelphi University, Board of Directors at Autism Speaks, Advisory Board Member

“Autism is really more of a difference to be worked with rather than a monolithic enemy that needs to be slain or destroyed.”

Dr. Vernon Smith – Experimental Economist, Professor of Economics – Chapman University

“Perhaps even more importantly, I don’t have any trouble thinking outside the box. I don’t feel any social pressure to do things the way other people are doing them, professionally, and so I have been more open to different ways of looking at a lot of the problems in economics.”

Armani Williams – Philanthropist, Motivational Speaker, NASCAR Driver  

“I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 years old, but I didn’t know until I was older. It was around the time I was heading into middle school that my parents told me. It immediately made me think back on all of the experiences that I had as a young child. That’s when it started to make sense for me. Once I could put all those memories together, that’s when I realized just what it meant to be on the autism spectrum.”

James A. Williams – Philanthropist, Pianist

“If you want to be a musician, a desire or passion needs to be relevant or a self-interest. Find what your likes and tastes are regards to the music that appeals to you; find enjoyment and strive to learn, push yourself, and reward your progress. Communicate with instructors about what you want from learning and/or find ways to learn what works for your needs.”

Connor B. Sturgis – Philanthropist, Customer Services – Publix, Advisory Board Member

“People with ASD have jobs and can buy a house, it just takes us a little longer to get there but we can do it.”

Scottsdale, Ariz. (April 3, 2023) – April is World Autism Month and Troon^® has partnered with Els for Autism to raise funds and autism awareness worldwide. Golfers playing Troon-affiliated courses in April are encouraged to donate the dollar amount of their score to Els for Autism in support of this special initiative, which will help transform the lives of people with autism and those who care for them. For example, if a golfer shoots an 80 during their round, they are encouraged to donate $80 to Els for Autism.

For every score donated, the donor will be entered into a drawing to win a two-night stay at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida and participate in the Els for Autism Grand Finale. The Grand Finale is a two-day extravaganza of golf and entertainment hosted by Ernie and Liezl Els set for October 30 – November 1, 2023 at The Breakers Palm Beach. Two winners, plus their choice of one guest each, will be awarded on May 1, 2023 and will receive:

• Entry for one golfing guest and one non-golfing guest (airfare/transportation not included)
• Attendance at the Welcome Party on October 30
• Attendance at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Celebration on October 31
• Entry to Grand Finale golf tournament for golfing guest only during your stay
• 2 nights complimentary accommodation at The Breakers Palm Beach from October 30 – November 1, 2023
• Gift Bag for each golfing guest

To donate and be entered into the drawing, please click here or copy and paste the following link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E331264&id=212.

Approximately 1 in 36 children have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. ASD is about four times more common in boys than among girls.

Els for Autism Foundation^® was established in 2009 by Liezl Els, Ernie Els, and Marvin R. Shanken. The Els’ son, Ben, is impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which affects 1 in 44 children in the U.S. The Foundation offers innovative, evidence-based programs for families and individuals across the lifespan in six focus areas: Education, Research, Global Support, Recreation Services, Adult Services and Therapy Services.  The Els for Autism Foundation serves families around the world and offers in-person programs and services at The Els Center of Excellence® in Jupiter, Florida. To learn more about Els for Autism^®, please visit www.elsforautism.org.

For more information on the Els for Autism Grand Finale, contact Paige Thomas, Director of Events, Paige.Thomas@elsforautism.org.

About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 750-plus locations, including 740-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf and ICON Management. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.

Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com

Music is one of the greatest things in life. While a book, movie, TV Show, or Video Game can take 30 minutes to hundreds of hours, a piece of music can usually have it all in 2 – 5 minutes. I would place any of the songs by The Beatles in comparison or superior to so many of those properties that exist to entertain or as art.

One corner stone that I would like to talk about as theming for the RE-creating RECREATION Conference hosted on March 23-24, 2023 is in Mental Health, and how recreational activities can improve on that aspect. I had encountered the first signs of clinical depression at the age of 15, which dovetailed with wanting to develop a hobby too, but I had no expressive outlets. I had to seek something that I was influenced by and could pick it up very simply. One of my first loves was the work of Bob Dylan because he was the first one where I listened to the lyrics with intent. Another love was The Beatles, because of the integration of great lyrics and great melodies. I wanted to be like them both, especially The Beatles, and during that year, I came up with my first written work that described what I was going through – ‘Jailhouse Blues’. It was a discovery that what I thought was the simplest form of expression – poetry and song lyrics – would be very powerful later.

My parents learned about my skillfulness early on when I shared with them two writings at a Mexican restaurant – a moment I will never forget. I am not exactly skilled that much at anything, but I was able to keep it a secret, and to share with them on my own terms that I was writing things also as a therapeutic outlet. While my father declared me to be a poet, I’ve always considered myself more of a lyricist. There is little money to be made in poetry, but if I can write a hit song, then royalties can accumulate.

Throughout the years, while I haven’t been able to connect with anyone in the music publishing business, I have been able to do short tours with my father and his friend, at three different original music festivals, including the big one at Key Largo. My father would play the guitar, his friend the bass, and I would play the tambourine, because I don’t have confidence in my actual voice although I would sometimes sing at these festivals. I have also self-published a great number of books with my lyrics and poetry. I also co-wrote a song that was played at the end of the Golf Challenge Series, our biggest fundraising event of the year, which was the Grand Finale in 2016, hosted by Els for Autism®.

Here are a few tips and tricks that have to do with my experience as a writer.

1. There are many avenues to express yourself. Certain ideas, or thoughts and opinions may fit more in a comic book, or maybe a novel, or a novella. For example, if you are able to draw better than being a writer, maybe express yourself in a comic book or comic strip.

2. Brevity is the soul of wit, but verbosity is the soul of exposition. While there are moments where one should be brief, do not let details slide from crafting the perfect picture.
3. From my perspective, one doesn’t have to play an instrument to come up with songs, one can come up with lyrics and try to sing it in a melody and voila, there’s a song!
4. I am terrible at handwriting, but I am very proficient at typing on word processors. In this time and day, you don’t need to stick to pen or pencil and paper to get your ideas out.

   I hope that you can enjoy writing in the same way that I do. It is a very powerful tool. I cannot write novels, novellas, or screenplays, but I can write poetry and lyrics. Maybe you, the reader, can do it too.

For a look at my materials and books, please visit www.MerrickEgber.com

One of the first building blocks in starting Els for Autism Foundation® programs was how we redefined sports as a therapy in addition to music therapy. The founder of our Foundation, Ernie Els, is a Hall of Fame Professional Golfer. He took his great namesake to give back through our largest annual fundraising event, the Els for Autism Golf Challenge Series, and the establishment of the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Golf Program. Participants learn golf skills while practicing specific autism learning concepts, including communication, emotion regulation, motor and social skills. Before The Els Center of Excellence campus was open, we test these concepts out at the Golf Clinics at the various Golf Challenge Events across the U.S. and Canada.

As the Foundation grew, we were able to export the golf program on a national level and then in countries around the world including Scotland, Ireland, and Thailand. We began a virtual training program, with assistance from the Leadbetter Academy, for organizations to be able to get credentialed to run the golf program once the Els for Autism Recreation Coordinator approved the training organization. This program is called the Official Program Provider Program (OPP). We have had great success having the OPP ambassadors all over the world teach the game of golf to individuals with ASD.

Once the Foundation had success with the golf program, began a training curriculum for OPPs to be credentialed in teaching tennis to individuals with ASD. In 2022, we added a new element to the mix with fitness, and, with the Recreation Coordinator, Greg Connors, we piloted a very successful program and are writing a manual for the fitness program. You can attend the 2023 Re-CREATING RECREATION Conference as a Supplemental Intervention for Individuals with ASD on March 23 & 24, 2023 to experience active demonstrations on both golf and fitness.

Greg Connors is from Philadelphia where he taught seventh grade writing at a charter school, with his English degree, while earning his Master’s in Special Education from Chestnut Hill College. After receiving his Master’s, he served in the Special Education Department as a Case Manager and Small Group Intervention Teacher. His next step was working at an Ed-Tech Startup in the Disability Employment Space.

But he has always been passionate about sports, fitness and yoga and loves to stay active and spend time with his five-year-old Husky mix, Eddie. He is also giving his Keynote Speech, which will explain how the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports curricula are impacting the lives of individuals with autism and reshaping the perception of recreation as an effective and supplemental therapy for these individuals, on March 24th, and also running a panel on Sports and Fitness.

• Elaborate on what your role within the Foundation is.

Answer: As Recreation Services Coordinator, I am responsible for the planning, execution, and growth of all Recreation Services offerings, which includes on-site programs, such as our daily after-school classes (Tennis, Chorus, Fitness, Golf, Yoga, Music, Kickball, Art, and Dance); our virtual clubs, including Spectrum Book Club and Connections Club; any Special Events for clients/families, such as Friday Movie Nights; all camps we offer, including Spring Break and Summer Camp; the Ernie Els #GameON Autism clinic offerings at local and national Golf Challenge events; and all Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports programs and Official Program Provider training for Golf, Tennis, and Fitness.

• What impact do you think our Recreation Programs are making with individuals with ASD? Why do you think that is?

Answer: Recreation activities, whether sports/fitness or leisure-based, offer opportunities for individuals with ASD to stay healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. Beyond the obvious physiological benefits of fitness and exercise, participants receive benefits in the mental and emotional aspects of their lives by building relationships with others, reducing stress and anxiety, building confidence and self-esteem, and learning to problem solve both individually and w/ peers.

• Can you explain the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® set of Programs?

Answer: The Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Programs – Golf, Tennis, and Fitness – offer outside organizations and individuals the opportunity to learn from experts in our field and to teach our research-backed, evidence-based curricula. To become an Official Program Provider (OPP) of the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports programs, other organizations and/or individuals complete an online training and assessment, complete a Post-Training Call and consult, and collaborate with me to determine a plan of action for their coaching/instruction.

Each sport has a specific manual with instructional lessons and an accompanying Resource Library that OPPs can utilize for teaching materials, visual aids, templates, and other resources. I am currently working on expanding the scope of our training process, and we will soon be incorporating tiered memberships into the OPP structure that provide individuals/organizations the opportunity to receive additional training via on-site visits with myself and/or clinicians in Speech, OT, etc., as well as premium webinars, newsletter content and access to other current OPPs via a community forum.

If anyone is interested in becoming an OPP in any of our sports, they can email sports@elsforautism.org for more information.

• What makes exporting our best practices in Golf, Fitness and Tennis Program so important?

Answer: If we want individuals with autism to continue to have inclusive and integrated community-based experiences we must train and educate coaches in a variety of sports with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully teach individuals with autism. They need to understand autism and the accompanying behaviors they will likely encounter, and they must be prepared with the requisite knowledge to not only teach the sport-specific skills that individuals need to learn but also the autism learning concepts that are embedded in our lessons and curricula, such Taking Turns, Communicating Needs, Sharing Equipment, and other social-emotional skills that can be challenging for individuals with autism to master.

• What advice would you give to coaches who may oversee any individuals with ASD?

Answer: I’m confident that any advice, tips, or knowledge that coaches would need to successfully administer programs can be found in the Resource Library specific to each sport. But, generally speaking, I think that coaches and volunteers working with individuals with autism would benefit from doing all of the following: understanding their participants’ specific medical information, as well as any sensory or communication needs (e.g. AAC devices); ensuring that they utilize simple language free of things like idioms or colloquial expressions when communicating directions or providing feedback; and utilizing visual aids/schedules and referencing them frequently to prepare participants for transitions during and between activities/stations.

• You are giving a keynote speech and running a panel at the Re-Creating Recreation Conference, can you give us a preview of what you would be speaking on?

Answer: My Keynote Address on Day 2 of the conference will offer insight into the how and why of our Recreation Services offerings, specifically our Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Programs. I will share how our programs have filled a void for individuals in the autism community and their families. Our methodology for embedding evidence-based practices into our instruction will be explained in detail, and I will also highlight some of the success stories of our participants. Joining me during this keynote will be Mr. Cae Menai-Davis of the UK-based Golf Trust, who has been a strong international partner in helping to address this void in the autism community and in spreading best practices in England and elsewhere.

• Can you preview the guests that we have on the panel?

Answer: We are excited to welcome the following professionals from all over the world:

• Eric Chessen (Exercise/Fitness)
• Joshua Deer (Golf)
• Jason Miletsky (Exercise/Fitness)
• Maricarmen Saleta (Aquatics)
• Tiago Toledo (Exercise/Fitness/Aquatics)

These experienced educators and professionals will share their knowledge and best practices for instructing individuals with autism, and our panel will focus on distilling for attendees the successful development of goals-based plans, the best practices for achieving the results of those plans, not only in their specific sports/areas of expertise but across disciplines, as well as any other general advice or information that they have learned from working with individuals with autism.

• Just recently the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team announced a new Capital Campaign for the Recreation Complex, that would include an air-conditioned gymnasium, Aquatic Center and a Splash Pad, how will this recreation complex enhance the recreation programming that the Foundation is able to offer?

Answer: The new Recreation Complex will provide immeasurable value to the Foundation and to the families/clients we serve. As we know, on any given day here on campus in Jupiter, there are nearly 300 individuals with autism all across the lifespan receiving education, instruction, and/or other therapies and services across many departments. The Recreation Complex, which will provide a sensory-friendly, air-conditioned environment, will allow Recreation Services and other departments in the organization the much-needed space to not only continue offering our current roster of activities but also increase the size/frequency of those classes and add even more offerings, such as pickleball, basketball, and swimming/aquatic therapy/water safety. As we know living in South Florida, we experience intense heat, high humidity, and frequent heavy rainfall that interrupt and, at times, prevent activities outdoors. This state-of-the-art facility will provide much needed space to continue offering the highest quality recreational and therapeutic services to individuals and their families no matter what outdoor conditions may be. Additionally, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hurricane shelter for the local community.

I hope that whoever reads the blog will learn about the ways we are giving back to the Autism Community. And I hope that whoever is interested will join us for the 2023 Re-CREATING RECREATION Conference. It will be a showcase as to why we are an authoritative source when it comes to the values of recreation for individuals with ASD and other developmental disorders.