ACEing Autism - Northwest DC and Montgomery County

Who We Are

ACEing Autism is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization. Our local program seeks caring, energetic people age 14 and older to help teach the game of tennis to children with autism. All types of volunteers are welcome, from high school and college students, tennis enthusiasts, special education teachers, therapists, speech-language pathologists, and active retirees. It is a chance for you as a volunteer to brush up on your tennis skills and gain valuable experience helping children on the autism spectrum improve their tennis, athletic and social skills. Knowing how to play tennis is not a prerequisite to volunteering, but it helps! Student volunteers may earn SSL hours. Programs run on weekends in 6-week sessions during the school year and volunteers work approximately 2.5 hours/week. It is truly a joyful experience!

What Volunteers Do

Volunteers work 1:1 on the tennis court with a child with autism. Note: This is not a one-time volunteer assignment. Each session runs for 6 weeks and we ask volunteers to attend at least 4 out of the 6 classes in order to provide consistency for the participants. Volunteers will receive training prior to the first class and on court support by the program director is always available. Volunteers assist the child as needed as we work through the one-hour, structured curriculum, which includes general athletic and gross motor skills, specific tennis skills, and fun games like red light, green light. Encouraging social connections between the participants is a high priority. No previous background in tennis is needed, but volunteers must be active, nurturing and patient. 

Email washington@aceingautism.org to apply. See you on the courts!

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Details

Phone (240) 506-4813
Contact Rachel Bloch and Lynn Gertzog
Contact Title Co-Program Directors
Website https://aceingautism.org/locations/washington-dc/