PBºN Episode - 31
Summary
The podcast episode features Liesel, co-founder of the Els for Autism Foundation, and Dr. Marlene Sotel, Executive Director. Liesel shares the personal journey that led to the foundation's creation: her son's autism diagnosis in England, the family's move to the US for better resources, and their involvement with a small charter school that needed expansion. Her vision for a larger facility led to the current 26-acre campus in Jupiter, Florida, which opened its first buildings in 2015.
Dr. Sotel, celebrating 10 years with the foundation, describes the comprehensive programs offered, ranging from early diagnostic clinics (as early as 12 months, using AI eye-tracking technology) and early intervention services to school-age therapies and adult programs. The foundation offers speech, behavioral, and occupational therapy, as well as vocational training in a mock apartment, golf pro shop, woodworking shop, and the Big Easy Cafe.
A key differentiator for Els for Autism is its holistic approach, providing almost all necessary services for individuals with autism from diagnosis through adulthood, excluding housing. The "Els Center of Excellence" strives for continuous improvement and dignity in care. Fundraising is primarily driven by a nationwide golf Challenge Series, major donors, grants, and recent state appropriations.
Future plans include a recreation complex with an indoor cafeteria, gymnasium, and a swimming pool with a splash pad, emphasizing water safety due to the high drowning risk in the autism community. Challenges include continuous fundraising and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining qualified staff in Palm Beach County due to high housing costs and insufficient reimbursement rates for services.
Liesel is most proud of the dignified care provided to children, especially during challenging moments, while Dr. Sotel highlights the foundation's ability to create and disseminate programs globally, impacting lives beyond Jupiter. They introduce "You Can Employ," a program helping companies become autism-inclusive employers, focusing on recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of individuals with autism, praising local businesses for their support.
Key Topics
Els for Autism Foundation Origins: Founded by Liesel, driven by her son's autism diagnosis and the need for advanced resources.
Facility and Growth: Evolved from a small charter school to a 26-acre campus in Jupiter, Florida, with initial buildings opening in 2015.
Comprehensive Programs:
Diagnostic Clinic: Diagnoses children as young as 12 months using AI eye-tracking technology.
Therapies: Early intervention, speech, behavioral, and occupational therapy for school-age individuals.
Adult Programs: Sea of Possibilities (art program), community volunteering, and social/recreational activities.
Vocational Training: Mock apartment (hotel skills, independent living), golf pro shop (retail), woodworking shop (handyman skills), and Big Easy Cafe (food industry training).
Unique Approach: Provides nearly all services for individuals with autism, from diagnosis to adulthood, with the exception of housing.
Els Center of Excellence: Commitment to continuous improvement, dignified care, and collaboration.
Impact on Families: Demonstrated through a case study of a family from Brazil whose child's behavioral issues were resolved by addressing an undiagnosed vision problem, highlighting the multidisciplinary detective approach.
Funding Sources: Primarily a nationwide Golf Challenge Series (which also offers autism clinics in host cities), major donors, grants, and state appropriations.
Future Developments: Recreation complex including an indoor cafeteria, gymnasium, and a swimming pool with a splash pad (crucial for water safety, as drowning is a leading cause of death in the autism community).
Challenges:
Sustaining fundraising momentum for ongoing projects.
Recruiting and retaining highly qualified staff due to high housing costs and low reimbursement rates for services in Palm Beach County.
Proud Achievements:
Liesel: Witnessing staff treat children with dignity and care, particularly in difficult moments.
Dr. Sotel: Developing and disseminating programs globally, contributing to research and replication efforts.
"You Can Employ" Program:
A program designed to help companies become autism-inclusive employers.
Focuses on educating HR departments on how to recruit, hire, onboard, and retain employees with autism.
Highlights the loyalty and specific skill sets of individuals with autism.
Emphasizes adapting interview processes to recognize potential rather than deficits.
Provides support to both employees and companies during the adjustment period.
Local businesses in Palm Beach County have successfully implemented this, including Jupiter Medical, PGA National, Oceana Coffee, Car Wash Blaze Pizza, etc.
Community Engagement: Encourages tours of the center and highlights the Big Easy Cafe's catering services.