Els for Autism South Africa Newsletter – December 2014

01 Dec

News from the Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa, providing lower resourced families of children on the autism spectrum with free access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.

Newsletter E4A SA Speakers Tour

1. Els for Autism launches ‘The Autism Speakers Tour 2015’
The Els for Autism Foundation is proud to announce the launch of ‘The Autism Speakers Tour 2015’, a series of three lectures starting in Durban on 10 January, then Johannesburg on 12 January and finally Cape Town on 15 January. At each event Marlene Sotelo, the Program Director of Els for Autism in the US, will kick off proceedings with a one-hour lecture. She is then followed by a selection of esteemed speakers, professors of child psychiatry, consultant paediatricians and experts in the field of autism treatment and research. It promises to be a fascinating and insightful series of lectures. Tickets are R400 per person and that includes tea and coffee on arrival, entry to the seminar, finger snacks and a drink afterwards. If you’re interested in attending any of these three events, please contact Claire Youngman: email claire.youngman@ernieels.com or telephone 011 484 7254.

2. The Els for Autism Foundation Golf Day at De Zalze Golf Club
On Tuesday 25 November, Els for Autism hosted a hugely successful charity fundraising golf day, held at the scenic De Zalze Golf Club for the second successive year. It was a perfect summers’ day, presenting ideal conditions for golf amongst the surrounding vineyards and mountains of Stellenbosch. Former Springbok rugby captain, Bob Skinstad, was the event’s special guest and he entertained the audience with some great insights from the recent Springboks European Tour, which he attended in his role as commentator for Supersport.

The cost of the day was R5000 per fourball, which included a direct charitable donation to The Els for Autism Centre in Jo’burg, green fees, cart fees, gift bag with a bottle of Ernie Els Wine and a shirt from the Ernie Els Collection, halfway house refreshments, buffet dinner and the opportunity to bid for some wonderful prizes in the charity auction.

Duncan Woods, Brand Manager for the Els Group (SA), expressed thanks to all the participants and local companies and wine farms that supported the day with activities on and off the course. “In particular, a special mention must go to Anahita, Mauritius, once again this event’s presenting sponsor,” commented Woods. “They are a magnificent supporter and very generously donated the key auction item, which was a trip to the beautiful Four Seasons Resort at Anahita.”

3. Ride for a purpose, ride for the Els for Autism Foundation
We are truly grateful to all the riders that rode for The Els for Autism Foundation in last month’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. It has greatly reinforced the efforts of our hard-working parents. Moreover, the R5000.00 raised will contribute towards the Centre’s overall growth and expansion so that our service can be as effective and reachable as possible for families who need support. “Some of our riders were on their bikes for six hours,” commented an appreciative Claire Youngman, Development Director at The Ernie Els Centre for Autism. “On behalf of Els for Autism, I would like to express our utmost gratitude for their donation and support for South Africa’s autism community.”

The event, which took place on 16 of November, saw 10 riders jump on their bikes in support of The Els for Autism Foundation, each of them dressed in the Els for Autism Foundation cycling jersey. It was a great event, with lots of excitement, and was a wonderful way to show awareness for autism as a whole.

It is estimated that one child every hour is born with autism in South Africa. More shockingly, less than .001 per cent of these children is expected to receive access to beneficial education. Ernie and Liezl Els embarked on a goal, in early January 2011, to create a service that would allow lower-resourced families of children on the spectrum in South Africa with free access to effective treatment. Thus the Ernie Els Centre for Autism was established. “We believe that every child with autism can learn and deserves access to effective education, at the same time recognising that every parent and family member plays an important role in helping their child reach his or her fullest potential,” comments Claire Youngman.

The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa provides families of children on the autism spectrum with comprehensive training on how to use best practices in education and autism treatment to teach their child. All participants receive free access to an online treatment tool called Rethink Autism as well as monthly group and one-on-one sessions with a trained facilitator.

4. Els for Autism updates its mission statement and core values
Els for Autism is committed to helping people on the autism spectrum fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives, through:
– Facilitating the development and delivery of treatment therapies, educational programs, training programs, and sports programs as well as residential and independent living programs.
– The development of global outreach programs that will facilitate the sharing of best practices and programs with the global autism community and beyond.
– Understanding the nature of Autism Spectrum Disorder, raising awareness, and promoting the value, acceptance and inclusion of people on the spectrum.

VISION STATEMENT
Els for Autism envisions itself as being a game-changing resource in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder, delivering and facilitating the delivery of programs that are leading examples of what should be available to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder across the world. Through our commitment to learning and the sharing of best practice, Els for Autism envisions being a driving force in helping people on the spectrum, around the world, realize their potential and individual aspirations and become valued and productive members of welcoming communities.

VALUES
Integrity
Honesty
Respectfulness (respectful of other points of view in autism, and to people on the spectrum)
Collaborative spirit
Open to Learning
Commitment to sharing
Commitment to quality
Commitment to excellence
Efficiency

5. Sincere thanks and festive good wishes to all our supporters!
So much of what we do here at The Ernie Els Centre for Autism relies on the support of others. Thus, at this festive time, we would like to wish all the parents, care-givers and our loyal supporters, a wonderful holiday season and to express our sincere thanks for everything that they do for us. South Africa currently boasts the first international link to the Els Center of Excellence, which broke ground in Florida earlier this year. The Ernie Els Centre for Autism, located in Johannesburg, provides lower resourced families of children on the spectrum with FREE access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.

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