Stanley Black & Decker, a leading global provider of tools, equipment, and services for the construction, industrial, and manufacturing industries and brand partner of World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els, has pledged $5 million over five years to support the capital campaign to build the recreation complex at The Els Center of Excellence in […]

Connor B. Sturgis has been mentioned many times by Els for Autism Chairman and Founder, Marvin R. Shanken, as a great person who inspires him. Due to Connor’s commitment to making it better for the autism community and his empowering presence at The Learning Academy (TLA), a Palm Beach County charter school on The Els [...]

When young adults with autism and other disabilities age out of the school system, Els for Autism Foundation® wants to make sure they have a special place to go to, a place to grow, connect, and thrive. Upon completion in 2023, the Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services building will be the location from which the [...]

Spring into Action Together (SIAT) is an Els for Autism® caregiver-implemented, early education program for children who are 18 months to 3 years of age. In collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, a pilot study was conducted to examine outcomes for toddlers and young children with autism spectrum […]

Participation in recreation activities is critically important for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. These various activities and experiences produce emotions of achievement, and enjoyment and promote inclusion, self-confidence, and increased quality of life. The Autism Innovations and Global Impact Conference: RE-creating RECREATION as a Supplemental Intervention for Individuals with Autism […]

In 2020 after the COVID-19 shutdown, the Adult Day Training (ADT) program launched a microbusiness “Sea of Possibilities”. This program was designed to empower participants to learn; product design and development, staying on task, communication skills, community inclusion, money skills, motor skills, and vocational skills.  While in the program, participants create a variety of ocean-themed […]

Nothing is better than being asked to volunteer at The Honda Classic when you love golf! In August of 2021, the PGA TOUR visited The Els Center of Excellence campus for a feature story on Ernie Els who had received the Payne Stewart Award in 2015.  The Els for Autism team introduced several families to […]

Employment is necessary for individuals with autism to have a sense of independence, become part of their community, and share their strengths and talents. In addition to earning an income and gaining independence, Els for Autism Foundation supports businesses in the recruitment and onsite training of qualified and talented individuals with autism and other developmental […]

On April 4th, 2022, Els for Autism Foundation® had a lot to celebrate and be thankful for. The momentous occasion was the long-awaited groundbreaking for The Stoops Family Foundation Adult Services building at The Els Center of Excellence® campus.  The groundbreaking was attended by the Foundation’s founders, Ernie and Liezl Els, and Marvin R. Shanken, […]

According to Anne Roux, of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, nearly 66 percent of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are unemployed. (2017 National Autism Indicators Report: Transition Into Young Adulthood).  Young adults on the spectrum are eager to live independently and work, however, social services aimed at helping them overcome problems with […]