Community Engagement

ACEing Autism Tennis Clinic

Week 3

November 2, 2025

Student Volunteer Reflection

My Role Today:

This week, I continued to assist the players during tennis activities while working with a new participant for the first time. I focused on encouraging comfort and confidence, while supporting smooth participation in each drill. I also helped facilitate transitions and modeled enthusiasm to keep the energy positive and engaging. We focused on combining players to participate in games with each other rather than just coach vs player.

Communication:

What I Observed:

There was noticeable progress in both skill and confidence across the group. Players seemed more at ease with the structure of the session and took more initiative in activities. The sense of teamwork was stronger, with children helping one another and celebrating each other’s successes. It was also rewarding to see the new player I worked with gradually open up and join in with smiles and laughter by the end of class. One of the players even mentioned that “mistakes are how we learn” which was very eye opening to see that they are becoming more aware about the gift of learning.

Learner Responses:

Most players required less prompting than before and were eager to participate. Their improved

coordination and ability to follow directions showed growing independence.

Accessibility & Sensory Supports Used:

We continued using visual cues, structured transitions, and clear expectations. The need for

sensory breaks remained minimal, as players appeared increasingly comfortable in the

environment and routine.

Equity & Inclusion Check:

Every player was supported at their individual comfort level, and all efforts were acknowledged

equally. Coaches ensured that everyone had opportunities to participate, reinforcing teamwork

throughout the session.

Overall Reflection:

Week 3 showed clear growth in both comfort and progress. It demonstrated how supportive

relationships foster success. Working with a new participant reminded me of the importance of

patience and adaptability when helping someone adjust to a new environment. It’s inspiring to

see how much the players have already grown and I am looking forward to see their

improvement by the end of the program.

 Assisting the players as they practiced new skills, offering encouragement, and helping them gain confidence with their rackets. I focused on supporting each child’s comfort level while motivating them to try new activities like hitting the ball.

Class Layout:

● Warm-Up: Walking and stretching exercises

● Core Activities: Practicing rallying with partners, bouncing and catching drills, and

coordination games

● Cool Down: Red light, green light, and Simon Says

● Materials Used: Tennis rackets, balls, cones

Communication: The interactions felt even more natural this week as many players showed greater comfort initiating conversations and responding to verbal and visual cues. Working with a new player also allowed me to practice adapting my communication style.

Observations: This week, the kids seemed noticeably more comfortable and familiar with the routine. Their increased confidence showed as more of them were willing to try new tasks, especially hitting the ball with the racket instead of just holding or bouncing it. The overall energy felt more relaxed and joyful, with players cheering each other on and celebrating small successes. It was clear that the consistency from week to week helped build trust and understanding between coaches and players.

Learner Responses: The children responded enthusiastically to encouragement and repetition. Many laughed and smiled after successful hits, and even those who were hesitant last week began participating more actively. Their growing independence was visible as they followed multi-step directions and demonstrated better coordination and focus during activities.

Accessibility & Sensory Supports Used: We continued using clear demonstrations and structured transitions between activities. Adjusting volume levels and giving visual countdowns helped ease transitions for players sensitive to sudden changes. Sensory breaks were still offered, but fewer children needed them this time, showing greater comfort and engagement with the environment.

Equity & Inclusion Check: Every participant was given space to learn at their own pace, and all successes, big or small, were celebrated equally. Coaches emphasized effort, persistence, and teamwork, reinforcing a sense of belonging and inclusion on the court.

Overall Reflection: Week 2 highlighted how quickly progress can unfold when children feel supported and understood. Watching the players take initiative and try new things was incredibly rewarding. Their growing confidence reflected the value of consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. As the sessions continue, I look forward to seeing how each child continues to develop their skills and self expression through movement, communication, and connection on the court.

Week 2

October 26, 2025

Student Volunteer Reflection

My Role Today: Assisting the players as they practiced new skills, offering encouragement, and helping them gain confidence with their rackets. I focused on supporting each child’s comfort level while motivating them to try new activities like hitting the ball.

Class Layout:

● Warm-Up: Walking and standing stretches

● Core Activities: Practicing hitting the ball with the racket, bouncing the ball, and partner

activities

● Cool Down: Red light, green light game, caterpillar

● Materials Used: Tennis rackets, tennis balls, cones

Communication: More interactive and natural compared to last week. Many players initiated small conversations or gestures to show excitement, while others responded more consistently to visual cues and modeling.

Observations: This week, the kids seemed noticeably more comfortable and familiar with the routine. Their increased confidence showed as more of them were willing to try new tasks, especially hitting the ball with the racket instead of just holding or bouncing it. The overall energy felt more relaxed and joyful, with players cheering each other on and celebrating small successes. It was clear that the consistency from week to week helped build trust and understanding between coaches and players.

Learner Responses: The children responded enthusiastically to encouragement and repetition. Many laughed and smiled after successful hits, and even those who were hesitant last week began participating more actively. Their growing independence was visible as they followed multi-step directions and demonstrated better coordination and focus during activities.

Accessibility & Sensory Supports Used: We continued using clear demonstrations and structured transitions between activities. Adjusting volume levels and giving visual countdowns helped ease transitions for players sensitive to sudden changes. Sensory breaks were still offered, but fewer children needed them this time, showing greater comfort and engagement with the environment.

Equity & Inclusion Check: Every participant was given space to learn at their own pace, and all successes, big or small, were celebrated equally. Coaches emphasized effort, persistence, and teamwork, reinforcing a sense of belonging and inclusion on the court.

Overall Reflection: Week 2 highlighted how quickly progress can unfold when children feel supported and understood. Watching the players take initiative and try new things was incredibly rewarding. Their growing confidence reflected the value of consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. As the sessions continue, I look forward to seeing how each child continues to develop their skills and self expression through movement, communication, and connection on the court.

Student Volunteer Reflection

Ryann LiPuma

My Role Today: Assisting the tennis players, walking them through the steps, helping them feel comfortable, and encouraging them to try new things

Class Layout:

● Warm‑Up: standing stretches, walking stretches

● Core Activities: squeezing the ball, bouncing the ball, throwing and catching the ball

● Cool Down: red light green light game

● Materials Used: tennis rackets, tennis balls

● Communication: minimal for some and more for others

Observations: I noticed that each child had a different comfort level and attention span throughout the session. Some were eager to try each activity, while others needed more time and reassurance before joining in. The environment was structured yet flexible, allowing the children to participate at their own pace. I also observed that repetition and visual demonstrations helped them understand each activity more effectively than verbal explanations alone.

Learner responses: The players responded positively to encouragement and consistent routines. Smiles and laughter increased as they grew more comfortable with the movements. For some, simply holding the racket or making contact with the ball was a big accomplishment. Others were motivated by small challenges, like counting how many times they could bounce the ball. Praise and gentle guidance seemed to build both confidence and focus throughout the class. 

Accessibility & sensory supports used: The instructors incorporated frequent breaks, simplified instructions, and supportive feedback using different ball textures. Adjusting the pace and volume of communication also supported participants who were more sensitive to noise or needed extra processing time. The open space and clear boundaries of the court helped reduce distractions and made transitions smoother between activities.

Equity & inclusion check: Every child was given the opportunity to participate in each part of the class at their own ability level. The environment encouraged acceptance, patience, and celebration of small successes. The coaches modeled inclusive behavior by acknowledging effort over performance and using positive reinforcement for all players.

Overall Reflection: This first week reminded me how powerful patience, empathy, and adaptability are when working with children on the autism spectrum. I learned that progress looks different for everyone, sometimes it’s a perfect rally, and other times it’s simply making eye contact or taking a new step forward. It was rewarding to see how a supportive and encouraging environment can help each child feel seen and capable. Moving forward, I hope to continue learning how to tailor my communication and instruction to each child’s unique needs, so every participant feels confident, successful, and included both on and off the court.