ACEing Autism

02/16/2026

Nearly a decade at the Delray Beach Open, and it still feels special every time.

This weekend, 20 ACEing athletes played on the same courts as the pros in Florida. They played their hearts out while families, volunteers, and spectators cheered for them. Pro player Vasil Kirkov stopped by to spend time with the athletes, which made the day even more meaningful.

We’re proud to spotlight and the movement for inclusive sport on this major tennis stage. Every kid and every athlete deserves the chance to play.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible volunteers from the FAU men’s tennis team and ICL Academy, and our dedicated volunteer leaders who traveled from Boca Raton, St. Petersburg, Miami Gardens, and Buffalo, NY, to support the day. And to the Delray Beach Open for hosting us for another year.

Read more in Florida Tennis Magazine: https://floridatennis.com/blogs/news/serving-opportunity-aceing-autism-s-impact-at-the-delray-beach-open

02/12/2026

Professional tennis player Jenson Brooksby joined ACEing Autism athletes for an exciting tennis clinic in Dallas this past weekend!

As the first pro tennis player to share his autism diagnosis, he engaged wonderfully with the kids, playing tennis and participating in games. “He was delightful and truly enjoyed the clinic,” said Richard Spurling, Founder of ACEing.

It was amazing to see our athletes and volunteers laugh and rally alongside Jenson.

A huge thank you to our fantastic volunteers from Fort Worth, TX (Texas Christian University) for their support during the clinic! 🌟

Read more about the event: https://www.thenimoyknightfoundation.org/news

02/10/2026

Tulane University students Sydney, Julia, and Helene spent their entire college journey volunteering with ACEing Autism, and the results are nothing short of amazing!

Watching their athletes flourish has not only been heartwarming but has also inspired these incredible students to pursue careers in speech pathology, pediatric neuropsychology, and therapy.

We're so proud of these young leaders and the athletes who thrived alongside them!

Read their full story: https://aceingautism.org/program-highlights/something-rare-is-happening-at-tulane-and-its-changing-lives/

01/26/2026

Charlotte-area ACEing parents! Support ACEing Autism at the Queen City Brewers Festival on Saturday, February 7. Say hello to Founder & Executive Director Richard Spurling and other ACEing representatives while you’re there! 🎾

01/23/2026

Programs that meet kids on the spectrum where they are shouldn’t be rare. They should exist in every community. As 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 : https://rebrand.ly/l16li0d

01/21/2026

Amy Terry began as a parent seeking community, and now helps lead ACEing Autism programs that empower autistic children to build confidence, skills, and lifelong connections through tennis. 🎾💙 ACEing Autism St Pete

Read her story from Voyage Tampa Magazine: https://voyagetampa.com/interview/meet-amy-terry-of-tampa-st-pete?fbclid=IwY2xjawOvunlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEdWw1QkY2THhNbkZmaFNtc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjfBe3z1-xpkYCR-rIBUHgbOvLOX2hGHG0gA_qmA74gBFk47MdVoCFq9N7SO_aem_eTmAG3Yy6AFMrI3uF9SofA

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

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!