Recreation Complex Capital Campaign V2
LEADING THE WAY
Els for Autism is leading the way by building the first sports and recreation facility in the United States to be considered ASPECTSS® compliant. ASPECTSS is the first research-based architectural design framework for autism worldwide. This building will be a replicable model, ensuring that individuals impacted with autism worldwide have access to specialized autism friendly spaces.
South Florida’s climate often presents challenges, including excessive heat, high humidity, and heavy rainfall. For this reason, the time has come to build a dedicated space with indoor facilities where our participants can continue to thrive year-round.
Opening Spring of 2027
"Since starting the Els for Autism Foundation programs and services in 2015, it has always been our vision to provide the autism community with a robust offering of sports, fitness, arts, leisure, and healthy living programs." - Liezl Els, Co-Founder & Managing Director
Research has demonstrated that recreation, particularly sports, can be an effective supplemental therapy for individuals with autism. All of our programs and services, including our recreation classes and camps are infused with evidence-based practices to maximize learning outcomes for all participants.
"Keeping our participants healthy through learning about nutrition and other well-being programs, and being active through tennis, fitness, golf, kickball, and yoga is our goal." - Marlene Sotelo, Executive Director
"The purpose-build Stanley Black & Decker Gymnasium will be an autism-friendly, stress-relieving, and welcoming space designed to mitigate hypersensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, particularly for those who are nonverbal or have difficulty socializing." - Marlene Sotelo, Executive Director
The Aquatic Center will be a multipurpose facility consisting of a splashpad and pool with regulation size lanes, an area for aqua therapy, swim and water safety lessons, and fun water play.
Our team is currently expanding the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Sports program to include aquatics. This new aquatic program will provide a specialized curriculum for teaching swim lessons and water safety in our aquatic center pool.
Drowning is the number of cause of death for children with autism. From January 2012 – August 2024 130 children with autism drowned in Florida. 83% of those drownings were boys and 58% of those children were between the ages of 3 –5. Source: Children’s Services Council Palm Beach County.
A Splash Pad in the Aquatic Center allows individuals who cannot swim, choose not to swim, or fear immersion in the pool to enjoy water experiences and have opportunities for social interactions while feeling safe and secure.
Naming Opportunities in the Specialized Autism Friendly Recreation Complex
Thank you for being a vital part of our community and helping us create a world of limitless possibilities.
If you're interested in naming opportunities or making an in-kind donation for a Recreation Complex, please contact the Development Office at development@elsforautism.org or call 561-320-9532. Your generosity will make a lasting impact, improving the lives of individuals
with autism today and for years to come.
Dedicated Spaces
Gymnamsium $5,000,000
Splash Pad $500,000
Pool Pavillion $400,000
Multi-Purpose
Recreation Studio $100,000
Cardio Room $25,000
Outdoor Benches (2) $10,000
Gymnasium
Named by Stanley Black & Decker
The purpose-built Gymnasium will be an autism-friendly, stress-relieving, and welcoming space designed to mitigate hypersensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, particularly for those who are nonverbal or have difficulty socializing. This indoor, air-conditioned space will provide year-round access to recreational activities, including basketball, yoga, and other fitness programs. The Gymnasium will also offer additional indoor spaces to host our Moovin’ & Groovin’ Spring Break and Summer Camps, as well as our Bridge the Gap respite care program. Additionally, it will include a teaching kitchen.
Aquatic Center
Naming Opportunity Available
Drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic children, with Florida reporting the highest number of deaths among these children. A recent study conducted by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County has found that Palm Beach County leads the state in drownings involving children with autism. Ernie Els #GameON Autism Aquatics will allow our team to provide water safety and drowning prevention for individuals with autism on our campus.
Splash Pad
Named by Thomas R. & Deborah K. Whitesell
Including a splash pad in the Aquatic Center allows individuals who cannot swim, choose not to swim, or fear immersion in the pool to enjoy water experiences and have opportunities for social interactions while feeling safe and secure. The Splash Pad will be a place to have FUN with water on a hot day.
ASPECTSS® Principles
Incorporated into the Recreation Complex Building
The Els for Autism Recreation Complex will be the first Sports and Recreation Facility in the United States to be considered ASPECTSS Compliant. This is made possible through our collaboration with Magda Mostafa, the Founding Partner of StudioTM and the author of ASPECTSS as an advisor through the duration of the project.
ASPECTSS is the first research-based architectural design framework for autism worldwide. It’s trademarked principles inform architecture for autism across 5 continents and it is currently taught at some of the leading architecture schools in the US- including Columbia University GSAPP, Yale School of Architecture and the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design.
Key Principles
Learn More
Help Us Reach Our Goal
Contact the Development Team at development@elsforautism.org or call 561-320-9532
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