ACEing Autism

Launching our way into this Labor Day!

Happy , we wish you a fun and safe celebration. What's your favorite way to celebrate?

Comment ⬇️ with only emojis. Go!

📸: OMS Photo

to a fantastic weekend at the US Open. Thank you to the United States Tennis Association - USTA (Official) and US Open Tennis Championships for sharing a wonderful recap of our ACEing Autism Clinic at the US Open.

Check out this article below: https://ow.ly/Jv5R50TajBt.

We’re excited to start this exciting partnership with Intercollegiate Tennis Association - ITA and can’t wait to get started!

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 🤝

We are proud to partner with ACEing Autism to encourage more inclusive tennis communities on college campuses!

📰 https://bit.ly/4dAOjJB (Read More)

x ACEing Autism

It's Tuesday check-in! We're heading to Elk Grove, CA which was started by current Program Director Brian Browne in 2017.

"Parents have let me know that their children wake up wanting to come over and play tennis. I have also seen players become friends, come out of their shell and really open up on the courts," Brian shared.

"The players feeling that they are part of something really makes them engaged and having volunteers close to their age is also a benefit. I see a lot of interaction on the tennis courts."

Other benefits he's seen are that "players often recognize the volunteers on campus and they hang out together during lunch. This goes beyond tennis, it is a connection to their school and to other students on campus."

Brian is excited to have a fall session, so stay tuned for more details soon. If you're looking for a program near you, 👉 https://ow.ly/rj8y50SBuRg.

What does ACEing Autism mean to volunteers? "It has shown me that tennis is more than just a sport; it is a way to build a community," Marissa Markey, a volunteer from Claremont, CA explained.

"The participants I worked with were excited to play tennis games each day, and as they got to know me better each week, they became more comfortable talking to me and their peers. I witnessed their development in tennis as well as in their social skills, listening, and emotional growth."

In addition, "as someone aspiring to a coaching career, this experience has taught me how to make tennis enjoyable for all ages and abilities."

If you want to learn more about volunteering, 👉 https://ow.ly/ItHI50Stiuq

Pomona-Pitzer Tennis Pitzer College USTA Southern California

Winning Together! Serving Victories and Unleashing Unique Abilities!

Through your generosity, we continue to win together as we witness the extraordinary impact we have achieved and uncover the potential of children with autism. We are proud to be a part of their journey! BUT, this is just the beginning of our journey!

With your support, we can expand our reach, serve more victories, and unleash the potential of many more children with autism. Go to our "Get Involved" tab to discover how to be involved and you can also make a winning gift to continue the support by visiting 👉 https://ow.ly/cg5O50SAXur.

Gunn High School

Meet Hayden Smith, a 7-year-old athlete from our Atlanta, GA program. After trying soccer but not quite fitting in, his mother, LeKeshia Smith, was thrilled to find a program her son felt he belonged to.

“You get anxious going places and wonder if you’ll be able to take him somewhere and let him be who he is. So it is a very good feeling to have a place that lets him be him!”

Since starting ACEing Autism, Hayden has improved his social skills and motor skills thanks to games such as green light red light. Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/JipZ50SCVcv

Emory University

It's Tuesday check-in! We're heading to McKinney, TX where James Van Ho**er has directed 11 sessions!

"We've had a few kids enjoy tennis so much that they've decided to join some of our other programs at The Courts of McKinney. We have a boy named Julian who does our summer tennis camp, ACEing on Saturdays, and ACEing Match Play on Sundays!" James shared.

"Several players have also formed friendships and with volunteers. Not too long ago, I saw a volunteer and player of the same age exchange phone numbers," he said.

He's also noticed improvements with their tennis and social skills which he attributes to having access to more equipment, leading to more activities for the participants.

Check out the details for their Fall session starting September 15 👉 https://ow.ly/31UU50SB2rK

On this , we want to say how thankful we are for the wonderful friendships we have created on and off the court.

Friends make everything better, so celebrate by making plans with your friends and don't forget to share your best memory with your ACEing Autism friend ⬇️!

HEAD Tennis Gunn High School


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Today marks the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA provides protection from employment discrimination as well as better access to goods, services, and communications for people with disabilities.

Together, we can build an inclusive world where everyone can thrive.

Winning Together! Serving Victories and Unleashing Unique Abilities!

Elevate the game for children with autism by joining us as we continue on the journey of winning together with ACEing Autism.

Your ongoing support is essential in helping us make a difference in the lives of these incredible individuals and their families. By staying with us on this journey, you are helping us provide the necessary resources and programs to empower children with autism to reach their full potential.

Visit our "Get Involved" tab to discover how to be involved and you can also make a winning gift to continue the support by visiting this link, 👉 https://ow.ly/JUto50Slcig.

GiGi's Playhouse Buffalo

Curious about volunteering with ACEing Autism? Here is what it means to Alex Jones, a volunteer for eight years in Wayland, MA.

"It's hard to fully capture in words what it feels like to watch an athlete who started with us at age eight, initially working on building his time on court and his frustration tolerance, become a leader in our middle age group at 14 and be able to hit rallies," the now co-Program Director, said.

"It is these connections, including with several Program Directors and volunteers who have become good friends outside of ACEing Autism, that made me interested in supporting the program further. I love getting to be a part of each athlete and their family's journey and witness their amazing growth."

Interested in learning more about volunteering? 👉 https://ow.ly/pTjw50SxtzH

On , we take this opportunity to thank and honor the hard work and dedication that these professionals show day in and day out to enrich the lives of this wonderful community.

Thank you for making a difference everyday. Your work matters.

Tag or comment ⬇️ with the name of a professional who has made a difference.

Meet Connor W and Noah Short, a superduo out of our ACEing Autism Evanston program in Illinois. "Noah and Connor have that connection, and that’s why he has been able to flourish," Connor's mom explained.

As much as Connor has learned from Noah, the college student has learned from Connor as well. “I’ve learned patience for sure, but he has also brought back a sense of imagination because he loves superheroes so we’ll bring it up sometimes. It’s great to see that I can be witty and creative cause I’ve never really been a creative person before,” Noah laughed.

To learn more about this amazing pair, 👉 https://ow.ly/RQ9l50Swpj3

Wilmette Tennis Club Chicago District Tennis Association Northwestern Medicine Autism Society Greater Chicago

We’re excited to be a 2024 Nike Community
Impact Fund grantee!

ACEing Autism appreciates Nike recognition of our efforts to create a more active and inclusive community. We can’t wait to put these funds to good use by supporting coach training, leadership development, and making our program even more available through our scholarship fund.

Thank you Nike for allowing us to drive positive, lasting change and make tennis possible for all kids with autism.

to everyone! We hope you have a wonderful day and hope to see some of you on the court!

Here are some tips to prepare for your celebration thanks to Sensory Friendly Solutions. Tag us ACEing Autism or comment below with your ideas or a picture!

It's Tuesday check-in! We're heading to Northville, MI where Brian Zhang has run a successful program for the past two years. "Leading the program is a great learning experience for myself because seeing how our participants' families cope with the challenges has taught me about courage, resilience, and optimism."

Thanks to the help of volunteers, "most players have shown improvements in both tennis and social skills, and also maturity and attention span."

But for Brian, the most satisfying part of managing this program, "is that these families trust us and look forward to our program each session." In addition, "providing them with an opportunity to get together with their peers at a venue where they are valued and loved."

Thank you Brian for your leadership and the volunteers for their care! If you're in the Northville area, check out this link to see our upcoming dates for our different locations https://ow.ly/IYq250Ssnia.

Let's get excited as we head into the weekend! Hear from Keri Spitler, a volunteer from Parker, CO and what ACEing Autism has meant to her.

"Watching him grow his personal skills and tennis skills as we found new ways to connect with each other, was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. This confirmed my desire for patient interaction and the importance of meaningful relationships as I begin my journey to becoming a physician."

Keri worked with a 13 year-old-boy with autism and Down syndrome who was really shy when he first started. "I spent the first day talking to his back, trying anything I could think of to engage him. By the last day of the clinic, we were doing celebratory dances together, giving racquet high fives, and laughing so hard as he dropped the 15 balls stacked on his racquet for the fifth time.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, 👉 https://ow.ly/fB4Q50Ssc7n

The Parker Racquet Club Autism Society of Colorado CBS Colorado

We're thrilled to announce Laura Gambrell as our new Director of Development, Marketing & Communications.

Laura has an extensive nonprofit background and is eager to bring her marketing and development experience to further ACEing Autism's mission. We're thrilled to have her on our team, so please help us welcome Laura into the ACEing Autism family!

To learn more about Laura, 👉 https://ow.ly/x0xU50SoOZh.

Check out Jane Kim's guest blog as she shares her story with autism. She explains her experience going from no enjoyment trying to teach her son T tennis, to "T asked when he was going back next. I knew then, that they - ACEing Autism - were providing something he hadn’t experienced with tennis before: connection and community."

The read more about her realizations through her family's journey with autism and ACEing Autism, 👉 https://ow.ly/gz2w50SlRsF.

Idle Hour Tennis Club USTA Middle States

Winning Together! Serving Victories and Unleashing Unique Abilities!

With over 5000 children with autism served and 2680+ hours of tennis provided in 150 community and school programs across the USA, we are truly Serving Victories and Unleashing Unique Abilities!

From the excitement of trying a serve to their confidence and social skills growing, the heartwarming resilience of each child and overall well-being is nothing short of remarkable. BUT, this is just the beginning of our journey!

With your support, we can unlock even more unique abilities in children through tennis and foster an inclusive community. Visit our "Get Involved" tab to discover how to be involved and you can also make a winning gift to continue the support by visiting
https://ow.ly/JUto50Slcig.

to all fathers and father figures out there.

Thank you for being here every day and doing so much for your family and your community, we are so lucky to have you in our lives.

Tag or comment ⬇️ with the name of someone you want to spotlight today.

Meet Elizabeth (Lizzie) Fear, a 13-year-old athlete from our ACEing Autism Lexington program with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. But this hasn't let her, or her family, slow down.

“The biggest gift for me is to see her grow, seeing her go from playing a child’s game to playing tennis and seeing a smile on her face when she reaches a new goal,” her father Shawn Fear, said.

To learn more about the obstacles she's overcome to go from catching the ball to being able to volley, 👉 https://ow.ly/MXXr50SeW7N.

Congratulations are in order for former Claremont Program Director, Rohun Krishnan, who won the prestigious West Coast AND National ITA Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.

“It means a lot! I believe the world is full of signals pointing you in directions that best fit your passions and talents. This award was a wonderful indication that I’m on the right path and should keep pursuing my work towards serving others.”

To learn more about this prestigious award and everything Rohun accomplished to earn it, 👉 https://ow.ly/UXob50S83rs

Pomona College Intercollegiate Tennis Association - ITA Pomona-Pitzer Tennis

We're excited to do our first ever check-in with our wonderful partner, the The Monarch School and Institute in Houston, TX.

“We started in early February and some of our students couldn’t bounce and catch the ball but today, I was teaching them to serve,” Jeff Thomas, who implements ACEing Autism, said. “I’ve seen a lot of their confidence get built along with their self esteem, which puts a smile on their faces,” he continued.

“They really love it! We haven’t had other organized sports before so this was a huge opportunity for us and they love it,” Patti Pace, the Head of Monarch School and Institute added.

To learn more about their experience and why it was so important give this opportunity to their community, 👉 https://ow.ly/OVoK50S4tK7

HEAD Tennis

On this , seeing our participants smile while having fun on and off the court is our biggest reward. Hear from one of our parents as to why her daughter smiles on the court.

"She had fun playing games on the court, interacting with the volunteer she was paired with, and learning and improving at tennis," her mother Linda Halim, said.

What makes you smile most on the tennis court? Comment ⬇️.

Happy everyone! Today, join us in honoring and remembering our nation’s heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

For those planning on celebrating, here are some helpful tips for an autism-friendly celebration from the Autism Society of America:
🎾 A vacation countdown
🎾 Discussions
🎾 Teaching stories can help prepare Autistic individuals for a shift in their daily routines and location.

Comment ⬇️ with your own recommendations.


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