ACEing Autism was founded in Boston, MA during the summer of 2008 by Richard Spurling, a tennis professional with a degree in International Business and MBA in entrepreneurship, and Dr. Shafali Jeste, an autism researcher and child neurologist. While living in Massachusetts, Richard and Shafali collaborated to create a program that was designed to use the sport of tennis as a means to provide unique social and developmental benefits to children with autism. The first program was launched at The Longfellow Club in Wayland, MA with 15 children with the invaluable efforts of volunteers and supporters.

ACEing Autism celebrated 10 years in 2018, and now serves over 1,400 children with autism and engages over 2,100 volunteers through 73 program locations in 29 states. The expansion continues as we are just beginning to meet the needs of the thousands of children with autism across the country. ACEing Autism is excited to officially launch the ACEing Autism School-based tennis program, which offers the traditional ACEing Autism tennis curriculum to children with autism in school during physical education classes. This new model will allow ACEing Autism to drastically increase the number of children served, while simultaneously increasing the number of weekly hours tennis is offered.