Some kids light up when they walk onto a tennis court. Shaurya Sheokand practically glows. From the moment he arrives at ACEing Autism, there’s a quiet focus about him, the kind that says he’s ready. Ready to learn. Ready to move. Ready to challenge himself in a space that feels safe and welcoming. Finding His…
Since he was six years old, Vincent Macallister has always had a racket in his hand. He grew up in Palos Verdes hitting balls against garage doors and backyard walls. He was happy as long as the rally kept going. Tennis became more than a sport for Vincent. It became the place where he feels…
At ACEing Autism, every athlete starts in a different place. The goal isn’t to rush them toward a “right” way to play. It’s to figure out what works. Rocky’s Growing Confidence When Rocky, 10, first came to sessions, he stayed off to the side of the court with his volunteer. For much of the hour,…
We’ve known for a long time that movement matters. Bodies need to move. Brains work better when we stay active. Exercise strengthens the heart, sharpens focus, supports emotional regulation, and improves overall health. Just like drinking water, getting sleep, and breathing air, movement is a basic human need. The real question isn’t whether autistic kids…
If you’ve spent any time around ACEing Autism, you know we talk a lot about growth. Kids grow. Families grow. Communities grow. We see it across every program we run. Families often share how their children build confidence, social skills, and motor skills each season. But every now and then, something special happens that lets…
Across the United States, there is a growing national gap in youth sports. As autism diagnoses have steadily increased over the past decade, the number of sports programs designed to support kids on the autism spectrum has not kept pace. Not even close. Research confirms what families already know. Sports help kids grow, build confidence,…
The Annual ACEing Autism Awards celebrate programs and leaders who are strengthening communities through inclusive tennis. These honorees exemplify the dedication, care, and leadership that help athletes with autism feel supported, confident, and connected on and off the court. Together, they represent the collective impact of volunteers across the ACEing Autism network. PROGRAM OF THE…
As many search for the causes of autism, an urgent possibility arises: maybe another question continues to go overlooked. Science will continue to study genetics, environment, and other important factors that may one day offer clearer answers. While science continues to explore causation, families live in the right now. And the truth is that another…
The courts were quiet, the stands still empty, when the first cheers rose from a group of young athletes in bright blue shirts. They weren’t pros (yet), but they played like the whole world was watching. Before the stadiums filled for championship tennis at the U.S. Open, nearly 100 children and adults with special needs…
California has 40 community-based ACEing Autism programs, but the locations at UC Irvine and UCLA are unique. Held on the campus tennis courts, both of these programs are registered community service clubs at the universities. As such, they have a board of directors, allowing for continuity of the club and an expansive leadership team. ACEing Autism UC Irvine…
