By Merrick Egber When I was very little, I had no sense of actual identity until I played the first Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), from then on I wanted to learn how to read and to become a video game designer. Then I would make friends based on how enthused […]

Erik Mollengarden started working as an Image Verifier at CAI, a purpose-driven business technology services firm, in December 2020. His favorite part of the job is working from home, where he uses computer software to process images of license plates from major highways for violations invoicing. Together, Els for Autism and CAI fight to head […]

Jupiter, FL (May 4, 2021)—Dr. Marlene Sotelo, BCBA-D, MT-BC, has been promoted to Executive Director of the Els for Autism Foundation from her previous role as Chief Operating Officer, a title she has held since 2018. She joined the organization as Director of Programs in 2014. The announcement was made by Marvin R. Shanken, Founder and […]

On April 24, 2021, Els for Autism Foundation hosted more than 300 runners and walkers in the second annual Roots & Ruts Off-Road 5K to celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. The race route went through the North Jupiter Flatwoods, along a certified autism-friendly trail. Participants of all ages and abilities started the race in waves based […]

Celebrating Our Rock Stars of Autism For Autism Awareness Month! Each year, the Els for Autism Foundation holds “Awe in Autism”, a live showcase of individuals with autism with a variety of special talents.  The event is held at The Els Center of Excellence, however, due to safety measures in place for COVID-19, we’re highlighting […]

By Merrick Egber   John Elder Robison – Author, ‘Look Me In The Eye: My Life with Asperger’s’ “I don’t want to be a genius or a freak or something on display. I wish for empathy and compassion from those around me, and I appreciate sincerity, clarity, and logicality in other people. I believe most […]

By Merrick Egber In celebration of Autism Awareness Month in 2017, I wrote a thought-provoking and revelatory three-part series about the history of autism. For this month’s blog post, I decided to summarize what I learned in writing that series. The first person to coin the term ‘autism,’ which comes from the Greek word ‘autos’ or […]

Els for Autism Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Marlene Sotelo, would like to personally invite you to the Autism Innovations and Global Impact Conference — Building a Neurodiverse Workforce, a virtual conference hosted by the Els for Autism Foundation and sponsored by the Shanken Family Foundation. This conference will provide tools and best practices, as well […]

By Merrick Egber 2020 has been quite a year for us all at the Els for Autism Foundation, especially with the COVID-19 crisis, but we’ve been able to show that our model of success is through positive messaging and adaptations. Here is our 2020 at a glance. Our experience with digital conferencing platforms pre-pandemic allowed […]

By Merrick Egber   When I was younger, I used to be a proactive participant in the realm of theater. Usually, my roles were father figures (“Our Town” and “Anything Goes”) but wherever the staff wanted me to be, I could do it, and I did it well. Theater gave me the feeling of being […]