Chad Periman

I am the program director for the Stuart Florida ACEing Autism chapter, and the proud father of two sons.  Erich, my youngest was diagnosed with a form of Autism at the age of five. As a parent of a child on the Autism spectrum, I know that finding opportunities for positive, healthy outdoor activities are always a challenge. My sons and I enjoyed playing tennis together and wanted to learn more about the game when we discovered the ACEing Autism program. Many of our parents say this is their child’s favorite sport. Unlike other sports and team events, Tennis allows our kids to concentrate more fully, and focus in a way that helps them stay engaged and directly focused, creating an opportunity for mental, social, and physical interaction that benefits them in so many ways.