ACEing Autism

01/15/2026

These photos take us back.
Back to 2008, in Wayland, Massachusetts.
A few athletes. A few volunteers. A big belief, and a lot of hope.

We saw families who wanted their kids to experience sports, but knew traditional programs just weren’t built with their needs in mind. So instead of asking kids to adapt, we built something that would adapt to them.

What began as a single program has grown into a community rooted in patience, inclusion, and fun. And the heart of it has never changed: making sure every athlete feels safe, supported, and excited to show up.

Learn more about our mission & share with a family who needs this 💙 https://aceingautism.org/history/

01/13/2026

🎉🏆 Drumroll please... 🏆🎉

We’re excited to announce the 2025 ACEing Autism Award winners!

Congratulations to Atlanta, Georgia, our Program of the Year! Led by Program Director David Berenfeld, and an incredible volunteer team, Atlanta continues to create a welcoming, inclusive, fun environment where athletes can grow and thrive.

We’re so grateful for all of our programs, volunteers, athletes, and families who make ACEing Autism what it is. Your passion and commitment are what drive our mission forward. Here’s to another amazing year ahead in 2026!

See the full list of award winners at the link in our bio.

neurodivergent

01/12/2026

Programs that meet kids on the spectrum where they are shouldn’t be rare. They should exist in every community. As autism diagnoses rise, the number of programs built to truly support these athletes hasn’t kept pace. Too often, kids are asked to fit into systems that aren’t designed for their needs. When that happens, they end up on the sidelines.

That’s why ACEing Autism exists, to create sports programs where kids on the autism spectrum feel supported, included, and excited to play, and to bring those programs to as many communities as possible.

📰 Read the full article on this national gap in youth sports: https://rebrand.ly/l16li0d

01/12/2026

01/08/2026

For many families, sports environments can feel overwhelming. This is what an ACEing Autism clinic sounds like: encouragement, patience, and support at every step.

Every athlete belongs. Every effort is celebrated.

Share with a family who needs to hear this 💙

12/31/2025

What a year. 💙

In 2025, thousands of athletes took the court, volunteers showed up week after week, and communities across the country created space for inclusion.

Thank you for trusting ACEing Autism and for helping us create welcoming spaces where every athlete can shine. Here's to more kids, more courts, and more fun in 2026. We're glad you're here with us!

12/30/2025

New volunteer and athlete tee shirt pick-up & meet and greet at the club! Our Winter program starts next Sunday!! “WE LOVE TENNIS”🎾

12/26/2025

Happy holidays to our ACEing Autism community! We are so thankful for all of you and have loved getting to know such wonderful families!

12/16/2025

We’re Hiring!

ACEing Autism is looking for On Court Support Contractors to join our team in:
📍 Peoria, AZ
📍 Tarzana, CA
📍 Sherman Oaks, CA
📍 Long Beach, CA (two program locations)
📍 Newport Beach, CA
📍 Orlando, FL
📍 Louisville, KY
📍 Edison, NJ
📍 Port Washington, NY

This seasonal, part-time role is perfect for professionals experienced in working with children on the autism spectrum who want to make a difference through adaptive recreation.

As an On Court Support Contractor, you’ll help guide our volunteers and Program Directors on how to best connect, communicate, and create an inclusive, engaging tennis experience for participants.

Don’t see your location on the list? Reach out anyway! We’re often recruiting for this position at many of our programs nationwide.

Apply here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/17e3d7c6cb9fbfbb1e7b3f76def8cbb0?r=use1

Questions? Contact Miles Vidreiro at miles@aceingautism.org

12/15/2025

This story from Peoria captures something we see every season at ACEing Autism.

It talks about kids showing up to their first ACEing Autism session shy, quiet, and unsure, and how, over a few short weeks, many of them start opening up. Not because anyone forces it, but because they’re finally in a space that’s patient, supportive, and built for them.

It’s one local program, and it’s something we see again and again across ACEing communities. When kids feel safe and accepted, confidence has a way of finding them.

Read the Peoria Times story here:

https://www.peoriatimes.com/news/aceing-autism-tennis-clinic-supports-local-youth-in-peoria/article_4e95d491-4f66-425c-8328-1b864264ef6d.html

12/06/2025

🌟 Some legacies help us understand each other better. Leonard Nimoy’s did exactly that.

We are proud to share that Richard Spurling, Founder and Executive Director of ACEing Autism, has been recognized alongside leaders and achievers such as Billie Jean King and Jenson Brooksby by the Nimoy-Knight Foundation with the "Live Long and Prosper" tribute.

Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Star Trek's "Mr. Spock" introduced the world to a character who saw and processed things differently, often in ways others didn’t immediately understand. His perspective became one of the show’s greatest strengths and a defining part of its message.

For generations, Spock’s story has resonated with people who navigate the world in their own way, including many in the autism community. His blend of logic, heart, and honesty offered representation that felt rare and meaningful.

Richard shared that this is why the tribute is so meaningful. His work has always centered on creating spaces where autistic kids feel accepted and building a more empathetic world in the process.

🖖 We are grateful to the for the reminder that honoring difference makes all of us stronger.




Remembering Leonard - His Life, Legacy and Battle with COPD