Autism—our community as a whole is aware of it, but not everyone understands it.
Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, the founder of Love Serving Autism, created the nonprofit in 2016 to provide children on the spectrum with a fun and encouraging space to try a new sport.
“When you see their faces on the tennis court, when you see the emotions they display, when you see parents’ testimonies, we know that it is making an impact,” the founder and former pro tennis player shares in a web video.
Autism is an umbrella term for people with autism spectrum disorder, according to Autism Speaks, and characteristics include “challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.” About one in 36 children and one in 45 adults have been diagnosed with autism in the United States.
Love Serving Autism is a cause that Giulia Merklein supports. As the mother of a 14-year-old girl with autism, Gina, she has seen the impact that participating in activities like tennis can do for kids like her. Plus, her husband, Mark, is a former pro and college tennis player.
“They learn fine motor skills, gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and just overall life skills, too,” Merklein says of watching the kids on the courts. “It’s been proven to really help improve their moods and just give them something fun to do.”
Pugliese-LaCroix played competitive tennis and was ranked No.1 in the state for three years. After a back injury, she returned to school and became a speech and language therapist, where she worked with children with autism. In 2016, she was motivated to bring together her two passions and founded Love Serving Autism. It has since spread to 13 other states.
Programs include one-hour, six-week racquet sport lessons all year round for players ages 5 to adult. Participants are broken up into skill levels, and on the court, they’re guided by a sports professional and certified therapists who specialize in speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy. There’s also opportunities for both neurotypical and autistic children to play together and learn from one another.
Thanks to generous donations, families can participate in the programs for free.
Merklein says her daughter has a lot of self doubt, and programs like this help her to break out of her shell.
“This kind of forces her to go out there and really try something new and learn that they can do it and they can love it,” she says of the tennis programs.
The third annual Matchpoint Gala will be hosted Oct. 19 at Woodfield Country Club with the theme “A Night in Venice – Unmasking Love and Acceptance.” Merklein is one of 14 legacy ambassadors raising money for Love Serving Autism; her goal is to raise $5,000 by the day of the gala.
“I’m just trying to help a good person doing a good thing for good people,” Merklein says.
For more information about the gala and Love Serving Autism, visit loveservingautism.org/match-point-gala
