Els for Autism was established in 2009 by Liezl and Ernie Els. The Els’ son, Ben, is impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which affects one in 36 children in the U.S. Els for Autism envisions a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Our mission is to transform the lives of people with autism and those who care for them through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships. The Foundation offers innovative, evidence-based programs for individuals with ASD and their families using a transdisciplinary model across the lifespan through early education & intervention, recreation, and adult services with family support, research & global outreach infused throughout each area of focus. We aim to become a world leader in transdisciplinary customized programs for individuals with ASD, develop an employment training model for all abilities across industries, implement, research, and disseminate evidence-based interventions, ensure long-term sustainability, and recruit and retain highly qualified staff.
Through ‘Sea of Possibilities’, a microbusiness run by participants of the Els for
Autism Adult Day Training (ADT) Program, participants create a variety of
ocean-themed art projects using materials from the beach such as shells,
driftwood, coral, sand, and sea glass.