ACEing Autism, a tennis program for children with autism, has landed at The Longfellow Club.
The program was started by Richard Spurling and Shafali Spurling Jeste.

Jeste is a neurologist at Children’s Hospital in Boston, and Spurling is the director of tennis at the Woodland Golf Club and a tennis professional at Dedham Country Club.

In the summer of 2008, the program launched with only five children, building to 12 to 15 children by the fall. Another session will start up in January.

The program is held at the Zip Zone of The Longfellow Club. The tennis courts and rackets are smaller, and the balls are low pressure and bright colors. The low pressure makes the ball move slower, and the bright colors are easy to focus on. Each child in the program is paired with either one or two volunteers.

The volunteers are high school- and college-age volunteers, as well as autism specialists. Some of the colleges participating are Brandeis University, Wellesley College and Boston College, but more volunteers are needed.

Children with autism have trouble with communication and social interaction. They often need individual help that regular tennis lessons cannot give them.

“There is a whole other aspect of teaching these kids. There are very few outlets and programs … this is the only tennis program for young kids with autism,” said Spurling.

Not only does ACEing Autism help with general fitness and fine motor skills, it is also a way for kids to improve with social interactions.

For more information visit www.aceingautism.com