Sports have the power to build confidence, foster friendships, teach life skills, and create a sense of belonging. Yet for many individuals with autism, finding coaches and recreation programs equipped to support their unique needs can be a challenge.
At Els for Autism®, we created the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Sports Program, a series of research-based programs designed to make recreation more accessible for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Through golf, tennis, fitness, and aquatics, participants with autism develop social, communication, and motor skills in a supportive environment while building confidence and connections with others.
To expand access to these opportunities, Els for Autism also trains coaches, instructors, and recreation professionals through its Official Program Provider (OPP) network. OPPs receive specialized training and resources that help them deliver inclusive sports programming and better support individuals with autism.
Research shows that recreation can serve as an effective supplemental therapy for individuals with autism, supporting physical health, social development, communication, and overall quality of life. However, many families still struggle to find instructors who feel equipped to meet their children’s needs. Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports helps bridge that gap by equipping coaches and recreation professionals with practical tools, training, and evidence-based strategies to create more inclusive sports and recreation opportunities.
As summer begins, one area of focus is especially timely: aquatics.
Water safety is a critical issue for the autism community. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism, who are significantly more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers. For many families, access to swim lessons and water safety instruction is not simply a recreational opportunity; it is a necessity.
Recognizing this need, Els for Autism continues to expand its offerings by adding aquatics to the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Program. By training swim instructors in autism-friendly teaching methods, the program aims to increase access to inclusive swim instruction and water safety education for families worldwide. Els for Autism will also incorporate these evidence-based methods into programming at the Specialized Autism-Friendly Recreation Complex, a first-of-its-kind facility currently under construction at The Els Center of Excellence opening in spring 2027.
Expanding access to inclusive recreation starts with training existing sport providers. To continue growing this impact, Els for Autism is actively recruiting coaches, swim instructors, tennis professionals, fitness trainers, recreation providers, and organizations to become Official Program Providers of the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports Program.
Official Program Providers receive access to online training, evidence-based curriculum materials, implementation resources, and ongoing consultation from the Els for Autism team. With the right tools and support, recreation professionals can confidently welcome individuals with autism and related disabilities into their programs and create environments where every participant can succeed.
Every coach, instructor, and recreation professional has the ability to make sports more inclusive. With the right training and support, they can help ensure that more individuals with autism have the opportunity to participate, connect, grow, and thrive.
To learn more about becoming an Official Program Provider and our recreation services offerings, visit the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports webpage or contact sports@elsforautism.org.
