Els for Autism

Els for Autism Transforming lives 🌍 Els for Autism® | The Els Center of Excellence® | Ernie Els Autism® Sports | U Can Employ™ | Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els

The Els for Autism Foundation was established by PGA TOUR golfer Ernie Els & is building a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence in Jupiter, FL.

We are excited to share that our Golf ProShop Vocational Lab, located inside the Stoops Family Adult Services Building, ...
10/18/2025

We are excited to share that our Golf ProShop Vocational Lab, located inside the Stoops Family Adult Services Building, has been fully outfitted with the support of ClubsHelp and other industry partners! ClubsHelp empowers golf clubs to raise funds to impact their local communities.

Inside our Golf ProShop, participants practice essential skills such as customer service, inventory management, pricing, cashier operations, and merchandising - all within a realistic store environment. This hands-on experience helps build independence, confidence, and workplace readiness in a supportive, structured setting.

To learn more about our employment programs visit https://www.elsforautism.org/programs-services/adult-services/employment-programs/

Your donation at work 💙At Els for Autism, 87¢ of every $1 goes directly to life-changing programs and services that supp...
10/17/2025

Your donation at work 💙

At Els for Autism, 87¢ of every $1 goes directly to life-changing programs and services that support individuals with autism and their families. That means your generosity creates real, lasting impact - every single time.

As we wrap up the year, help us continue this vital work.

👉 Every gift matters - make yours count. Learn about new tax law changes for 2026 and view our Spectrum of Support giving toolkit at https://www.elsforautism.org/end-of-year-giving/

10/16/2025

As National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) comes to a close, we were honored to be featured on the PBS special On the Town in the Palm Beaches with Frank Licari, which highlighted the booming workforce of the Palm Beaches.

Check out how the Els for Autism team supports autistic adults in being an integral part of the workforce in Palm Beach County!

Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9fv0452aI

Throughout October, we're proud to spotlight our Top 4 Highlights of 2025, and this brand new curriculum will be sure to...
10/15/2025

Throughout October, we're proud to spotlight our Top 4 Highlights of 2025, and this brand new curriculum will be sure to change lives.

#2: We launched the Ernie Els Autism® Aquatics program, a life-saving initiative making waves in our community.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism, and this program addresses that urgent need with specialized swim instruction tailored to the unique learning styles of individuals with autism. Developed by the Els for Autism clinical and research teams, the curriculum focuses on:

🧠 Building water safety awareness and essential swim skills

💪 Increasing confidence and independence in aquatic environments

👥 Supporting social engagement and communication through structured group lessons

📊 Using evidence-based strategies to track progress and outcomes

The Ernie Els Autism® Aquatics program is part of our broader suite of Ernie Els Autism® Sports initiatives, which also include golf, tennis, and fitness, all designed to promote physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being in a fun, inclusive setting.

Head to https://www.elsforautism.org/end-of-year-giving/
to read Executive Director Dr. Marlene Sotelo’s full Year-in-Review letter and learn about all the other major accomplishments that were made this year.

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we want to take you inside our vocational labs l...
10/14/2025

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we want to take you inside our vocational labs located in The Stoops Family Adult Services Building.

The Stanley Black & Decker Vocational Training Lab. This lab helps our participants develop hands-on woodworking skills such as measuring, cutting, assembling, and finishing projects. These experiences prepare individuals for careers in skilled trades while also promoting independence and problem-solving.

We are grateful to Stanley Black & Decker for outfitting our vocational lab, allowing us to teach valuable skills to our clients and support them in securing meaningful employment in the community!

Visit https://www.elsforautism.org/programs-services/adult-services/employment-programs/ to learn more about our employment services.

We are thrilled to share our team is now providing diagnostic services for all ages. This expansion goes hand-in-hand wi...
10/13/2025

We are thrilled to share our team is now providing diagnostic services for all ages. This expansion goes hand-in-hand with our programs and services that support individuals across the lifespan.

Our Collaborative Autism Diagnosis and Intervention (CADI) team of specialists includes professionals in the areas of clinical psychology, special education, speech-language pathology, and applied behavior analysis.

Just as a golf “caddie” guides and supports a golfer through a round of course, our “CADI” team will walk side-by-side with you and your family, providing information, recommendations, and support throughout the identification, evaluation, and intervention process.

To learn more about evaluations for children, teens, and adults visit https://www.elsforautism.org/programs-services/early-intervention-education/cadi/

Welcome to the Els for Autism Hospitality & Life Skills Suite. This suite includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living...
10/12/2025

Welcome to the Els for Autism Hospitality & Life Skills Suite. This suite includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a laundry room, and a kitchenette. It is staged to reflect both an apartment and a hotel room.

As a Hospitality Suite, participants gain hands-on experience in areas such as preparing guest rooms, managing supplies, and delivering quality customer service. These are essential skills for careers in the hospitality and service industries. All activities are designed to build independence, confidence, and professionalism in a supportive, real-world-inspired setting.

We are grateful to The Breakers Palm Beach for outfitting our suite!

Visit ElsforAutism.org/employment to learn more about our employment programs and services.

They say the heart of every home is the kitchen. We say the heart of our campus is the Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els.Locat...
10/11/2025

They say the heart of every home is the kitchen. We say the heart of our campus is the Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els.

Located inside the Stoops Family Adult Services Building, our cafe serves as another one of our state-of-the-art vocational labs, supporting daily living and vocational training for clients in our Adult Day Training (ADT) program and individuals enrolled in our Work Experience (WE) program. In the cafe, our adult clients learn essential skills to excel in the food industry. The cafe is also a place of meaningful, paid employment for an autistic adult.

Our cafe is open to the public every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support inclusion by joining us for some “Homemade Happiness!”

We are located at 18370 Limestone Creek Road in Jupiter, Florida.

Hiring inclusively means more than filling a position, it means opening doors to opportunity and creating lasting impact...
10/10/2025

Hiring inclusively means more than filling a position, it means opening doors to opportunity and creating lasting impact.

At Els for Autism, we go beyond job placement. Our dedicated job coaches work side by side with employers and autistic adults to ensure long-term success through every stage of the employment journey, from onboarding and training to professional growth and retention.

We also provide customized training to help businesses foster neuroinclusive environments and strengthen their diversity and inclusion goals.

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to honor our Employment Partners and job coaches who are helping build brighter futures, one job at a time.

Learn more about our employment programs at https://www.elsforautism.org/programs-services/adult-services/employment-programs/

Throughout October, we’re proud to spotlight our Top 4 Highlights of 2025, and leading the list is a milestone that will...
10/09/2025

Throughout October, we’re proud to spotlight our Top 4 Highlights of 2025, and leading the list is a milestone that will change lives for generations to come.

#1: We officially broke ground on our Specialized Autism Friendly Recreation Complex, a dream that’s years in the making! This state-of-the-art facility will be the first ASPECTSS® compliant sports and recreation facility in the U.S., a research-based architectural design framework designed specifically for individuals with autism.

This isn’t just a place to play – it’s a place to thrive, learn, and stay safe:

🌊 Aquatics Center: In Florida, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children with autism. Our center will offer critical swim instruction and water safety education, equipping families with life-saving skills.

🍳 Teaching Kitchen & Dining Area: Empowering individuals with autism to build independence through hands-on life skills and nutrition education, tools that support long-term health and self-sufficiency.

🏀 Sensory-Smart Gymnasium: Designed to reduce sensory overload, this space will provide year-round access to basketball, yoga, and fitness programs that support emotional regulation and physical well-being.

🌈 Therapeutic Spaces: Sensory escape spaces, splash pad, and therapeutic fitness rooms to foster safe, inclusive play for all ages

And in a powerful show of support, Els for Autism received a $2.5 million appropriation from the State of Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities to help bring this transformative space to life. This investment is more than funding; it’s a commitment to inclusion, safety, and hope.

Head to https://www.elsforautism.org/end-of-year-giving/ to read Executive Director Dr. Marlene Sotelo’s full Year-in-Review letter and learn about all the other major accomplishments that were made this year.

Don’t ghost us, it’s your LAST CHANCE to register for our FALLoween Festival! 👻🎃 We’re just days away from a fang-tastic...
10/07/2025

Don’t ghost us, it’s your LAST CHANCE to register for our FALLoween Festival! 👻🎃

We’re just days away from a fang-tastic morning filled with costumes, carnival games, trick-or-treating, and all the spooky (and sensory-friendly) fun your family can handle! 🕸🧡

📅 Saturday, October 11
🕘 9 AM - 12 PM
📍 The Els Center of Excellence®

💥 It’s FREE to attend (suggested $10 donation per family)
✨ Costumes encouraged
🍬 Smiles guaranteed

Spots are vanishing fast - don’t miss out!
👉 Register now: https://www.falloweenfestival.org

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ben Els! 🎉Today, we celebrate Ben and the incredible impact he has made on the autism community worldw...
10/06/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ben Els! 🎉

Today, we celebrate Ben and the incredible impact he has made on the autism community worldwide. We wish him a day full of joy, laughter, and special moments.

Join us in sending your birthday wishes to Ben in the comments and help make his day even brighter! 🎂🎈

Address

18370 Limestone Creek Road
Jupiter, FL
33458

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15615986200

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