No parent ever wants to hear that their child has autism. When Ernie and Liezl Els’ son, Ben, received an autism diagnosis, their lives, like those of all families directly impacted by autism, changed forever. However, their journey to support Ben inspired the creation of a world-class autism campus, a place where individuals of all ages can access programs, services, therapies, and education all in one location.
A Family’s Leap of Faith
At the time of Ben’s diagnosis, World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els and his family were living in England. “We took a chance and put him into the same school as our older daughter, Samantha. He absolutely despised it,” Ernie Els recalls.
Determined to find a better solution, Liezl Els began researching and discovered a charter school for children with autism in Palm Beach County, Florida. The family took a leap of faith and moved across the pond. The decision changed everything. “Ben started smiling and making friends. Although the school gave him the support he needed, the building wasn’t up to ‘par.’ Liezl said to me, ‘We must build something proper for individuals with autism.’”
The Beginning of Els for Autism
Ernie Els then decided to go public with Ben’s diagnosis, making the announcement at the 2008 Honda Classic – an emotional moment that inspired family friend and entrepreneur Marvin Shanken. Shanken pulled Els aside and suggested they collaborate to raise money for autism research through a Pro-Am. “You get the pros, I’ll get the amateurs,” Shanken told Els.
That initial idea grew into something even greater. Together, Ernie & Liezl Els and Marvin Shanken established the Els for Autism Foundation®, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals on the autism spectrum reach their full potential. Through fundraising efforts, including the Els for Autism Pro-Am, they purchased a 26-acre plot of land in Jupiter, Florida, to build The Els Center of Excellence® – a world-class hub for autism services and education.
Building The Els Center of Excellence
Ground broke in 2014, and just 18 months later, the campus opened with the Rupert Education Wing – the new home of Ben and his friends’ charter school – and an administration building. During that time, the founders recruited Marlene Sotelo, EdD, BCBA-D, MT-BC, from the University of Miami- Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) to help create comprehensive wraparound programs so individuals could receive all their therapies and services in one central location.
This innovative approach changed everything for families. “We were spending nearly two hours every day in the car taking our child from school to therapy. Now he just walks down the hallway on The Els Center of Excellence campus,” said one parent whose child attends the charter school and receives services from the Els for Autism team.
A Decade of Impact
This past August, The Els Center of Excellence celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The campus now includes the Shanken Education Wing, the Stoops Family Adult Services Building, the O’Donnell Family Pavilion, sensory arts gardens, tennis and basketball courts, two playgrounds, and a three-hole pitch-and-putt golf course.
Under the direction of Dr. Sotelo, who is now the Executive Director, Els for Autism provides autism programs and services for individuals starting at 12 months old through adulthood, focusing on three primary impact areas:
Expanding Recreation and Research-Based Design
To mark the campus’s 10-year anniversary, Els for Autism broke ground on a Specialized Autism Friendly Recreation Complex. The complex will include the Stanley Black & Decker Gymnasium, an Aquatics Center, and the Thomas R. & Deborah K. Whitesell Splash Pad. It will also be the first sports and recreation facility in the U.S. to be ASPECTSS® compliant – a research-based architectural design framework for autism.
Including the aquatics center was especially important. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism, and through the evidence-based Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Aquatics program, children will learn essential swim and water safety skills in a safe, supportive environment.
A Global Vision for Autism Support
Els for Autism also has organizations in the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa. Its evidence-based programs and services have reached families and professionals in 38 countries, creating a true global autism community.
Despite this global reach, Els emphasizes that Els for Autism remains a family-driven organization, and on any given day, you will see him and his wife greeting staff, clients, and their families. “I don’t know if one day I’ll be remembered as a golfer or as a dad who brought autism to the public,” he reflects. “I like the latter.”
A Legacy of Hope and Excellence
No matter where you call home, Els for Autism provides autism support services, programs, education, and resources for individuals of all ages, their caregivers, and professionals.
Explore our full list of evidence-based programs and services.As a nonprofit organization, Els for Autism relies on charitable financial contributions to continue providing programs and services to our clients and their families. Remarkably, 87¢ of every $1 directly benefits our programs and services, ensuring your donation has a profound impact. We invite you to explore our diverse range of giving options, tailored to match your philanthropic goals and preferences. Your generosity fuels our global mission to transform the lives of people with autism and their families through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships. Thank you for being a vital part of our community and helping us create a world of limitless possibilities.
