Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Terry.
Hi Amy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a retired special eduction teacher and mother to a 30 year old neurodivergent son. When my son was young, it was difficult to find programs outside of school that were specifically designed for neurodivergent children, especially in sports. Once I was ready to retire from teaching, I knew I still wanted to make an impact with families who have a child on the spectrum. My passion for racquet sports lead me to Richard Spurling the founder of the nonprofit ACEing Autism. I instantly knew this was the organization I wanted to be a part of, and I became the Program Director for our program at the Racquet Club of St. Pete with the help from Peter Keber the GM of the club. As time went on, I also became the Florida Ambassador for ACEing Autism. ACEing Autism was founded in the summer of 2008 by Richard Spurling and Dr. Shafali Jesse in Boston, MA. In 2010, Dr. Shafali Jeste was recruited to the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment, a center that has been a leader in there field of autism research for decades. Over the years we have refined our curriculum, trained thousands of volunteers , and expanded into communities across the country. We meet kids where they are, we build confidence through movement and play, and we bring families together through the joy of sport. Our curriculum is built specifically for autistic kids. We use visual schedules, clear routines, and a very unique 1:1 volunteer ratio so every athlete is met right where they are. Volunteers and leaders are trained, the pace is flexible, and the environment is warm and welcoming. Kids feel understood, families connect, and nobody has to squeeze into a mold to participate . It is a National model that still feels personal and unique to each program.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The first obstacle was finding the right location for our program. Peter Keber who is the GM of The Racquet Club of St. Pete was already part of ACEing Autism as an ambassador, and was instrumental in helping me bring ACEIng Autism to the Tampa Bay Area. Our program is supported by members of The Racquet Club who have become invaluable as volunteers! It is a community effort to make it a success. There is a lot to be proud of, One of the top has to be those ACEing moments on and off the court. When a child makes a small breakthrough, or a volunteer lights up because they helped to create it, or a parent sees their child included and confident. This is that heartbeat of ACEing! What happens specifically with volunteers is pretty special. They raise their hands to help and leave changed by the experience. We are developing the next generation of compassionate and empathetic leaders. That impact reaches far beyond ACEing. I am proud to see our community growing. More volunteers, more leaders, more kids getting a place to belong and thrive. That growth comes from people believing in this mission and carrying forward every single week. My mission and goal is to have enough programs in Florida and across Tampa Bay to meet the high demand for programs. Many of our programs have waitlists for participants, and the numbers in Florida can support many program locations so every child can participate.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the Program Director of ACEing Autism St.Petersburg and the Florida Ambassador of ACEing Autism.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
In place of a childhood memory, I would like to introduce Audra Mulder and her amazing son Nathanael. These are her words:
My son, Nathanael, has Autism. He is smart and ambitious and charming, but he has a nemesis – food. We moved to Florida for life changing therapies at Johns Hopkins All Children’s hospital. When we arrived he had no energy to run and play like his peers because he simply couldn’t eat enough to fuel the activities. He was determined to change that. He started referring to his meals as “power foods” and ate with purpose rather than desire . Programs Like ACEing Autism have made all of the difference for Nathanael. The encouraging coaches and activities modified to his specific needs gave him the motivation to keep eating so he could spend more time on the court with his new friends and hit the ball really hard. Now he has advanced to become a volunteer in the program as well as an athlete. He wants to pay it forward so that those who still fight the fight can live their fullest life – Audra Mulder
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aceingautism.org
- Instagram: aceingautism_stpete
- Facebook: ACEing Autism St Pete
Image Credits
These photos belong to me… They are of myself and our program and Audra Mulder and her son Nathanael who started out as participants and now Nathanael volunteers with the younger athletes.
