In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, USTA Florida is spotlighting tennis programs and organizations across the state that offer adaptive tennis for individuals with autism. One organization that is making huge strides within its community is Aces for Autism (AFA).
What is Aces for Autism
Aces for Autism is a growing nonprofit, created from a mother’s love, a passion for tennis, and a mission to support her community in meaningful ways.
Aces for Autism (AFA) was founded in 2023 by Michelle Davis and a group of her tennis friends. Michelle’s four-year-old son, Henry, was diagnosed with autism, and after participating in several charity tournaments supporting various causes, she realized there were no events benefiting autism in her area. One day, she mentioned it to her friends and the next thing she knew, they were creating Aces for Autism.
What started as a single tournament evolved into something much bigger. AFA aims to provide support to local families facing financial barriers to autism-related services like speech, occupational, and physical therapy. With long waiting lists and limited Medicaid coverage, children can lose crucial developmental time. AFA’s vision is to change that, one family at a time.
What Does Aces for Autism Offer
Tennis became the perfect avenue for this mission. The sport combines physical and mental elements with opportunities for socialization, teamwork, and fun. By merging her love for tennis with her dedication to the autism community, Michelle helped create a program that truly brings people together.
Since its launch, Aces for Autism has flourished. It now collaborates with Love Serving Autism (LSA), a Florida-based nonprofit, to host year-round adaptive tennis clinics. Overtime these LSA sessions have become consistent and fun events for athletes who may otherwise lack opportunities for physical activity and community connection.
AFA welcomes athletes of all abilities, ages five and up. Clinics are divided into two age groups: 5–10 and 11 and up. Each session includes volunteers and trained professionals who adapt the activities to meet every participant’s individual needs. With visual schedules, group warmups, positive affirmations, and customized drills, players build skills and confidence in a supportive environment…