Advantage Autism – The Au-Tastic Tennis Program
Finding a suitable activity or sport for children or adults on the autism spectrum isn’t always easy. When the right activity is found, participation in sport and physical activity can offer meaningful physical, social, and personal benefits.
People with disability can experience the same physical, mental, and social benefits from participating in sport and physical activity as those without disability.
For many families, team sports can feel overwhelming. Tennis, as an individual sport delivered in a structured environment, can provide an option that better suits some children and young adults.
ADVANTAGE AUTISM – AN INCLUSIVE TENNIS PROGRAM
TENNIS AS AN INDIVIDUAL SPORT
Tennis allows players to participate independently and at their own pace. Without the pressure of team dynamics, progress is personal and individual. For many participants, this can support confidence, engagement, and enjoyment of the sport.
Sessions take place on single, enclosed courts to minimise unnecessary distractions and reduce over-stimulation. Courts can be secured where appropriate, and parents, carers, or support workers are welcome on court at all times to observe, assist, or provide encouragement.
ENGAGEMENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Tennis involves focus, decision-making, movement, and coordination. On the court, players are encouraged to engage independently, follow simple strategies, and respond to changing situations during play.
Participation in tennis can support the development of problem-solving skills, focus, and engagement through sport-based activities. These experiences occur in a practical, active environment and are part of normal skill development through sport participation.
Programs are delivered by qualified tennis coaches and are not therapeutic or clinical services.
PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION
Tennis is a physically engaging sport that involves a wide range of movements, supporting general fitness, coordination, and motor skill development.
Activities on court encourage players to track the ball, move their body purposefully, and coordinate their movements. These skills are developed through play and repetition in a sporting context and can support broader participation in physical activity.
ONE-ON-ONE AND SMALL GROUP OPTIONS
The autism spectrum is broad, and every participant’s needs and readiness are different. One-on-one and small group lessons allow sessions to be adjusted to suit individual comfort levels, learning pace, and engagement.
Private or semi-private lessons can provide a flexible and supportive introduction to tennis for participants who are not yet ready for larger group environments.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
For families interested in introducing their child or young adult to tennis, lessons are the first step. We understand that finding suitable recreational opportunities can be challenging and aim to make participation as welcoming and flexible as possible.
Families are invited to contact us to discuss individual needs and arrange a free trial session.
ANXIETY AND NEW ENVIRONMENTS
Many players experience anxiety when visiting a new location, meeting new people, or trying a new activity. To support this, we offer a “look, watch, feel safe, elect to join” approach.
Participants are welcome to observe sessions without pressure for as long as needed. Observation allows familiarity with the environment, and participation occurs only when the player feels comfortable to do so.
Some players choose to join in quickly, while others may observe across multiple sessions. There are no restrictions or time pressures, and this approach supports gradual and confident participation in a community setting.
NDIS INFORMATION (IMPORTANT)
Slamin Tennis is not an NDIS registered provider and does not provide therapeutic or clinical services.
Some families may independently choose to use self-managed or plan-managed NDIS funds to support participation in community sport where aligned with individual NDIS goals.
However:
- NDIS funding is not guaranteed
- All funding decisions are made solely by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
- Slamin Tennis does not represent or guarantee NDIS funding approval
Families are encouraged to seek advice from their NDIS planner or support coordinator regarding funding eligibility.
For general information, families may find the following resource helpful:
https://dsr.org.au/ndis-sports-guide/
PARTICIPATION SUMMARIES (OPTIONAL)
At a family’s request, Slamin Tennis can provide general participation summaries outlining session attendance, engagement, and program structure. These summaries may assist families when discussing community participation with their NDIS planner.
These documents are not clinical assessments and do not constitute therapeutic reports. Preparation time and fees apply, depending on the level of detail requested.
Parent / Guardian / Carer feedback:
“Our son, Sahil, is a 23-year-old non-verbal young man with autism. He is physically strong and loves the outdoors, but needs to be pushed and supervised when it comes to organised activity. There are not too many options for organised sporting activities for my son, so when we heard about Advantage Autism – The Au-tastic tennis program, we thought we would give it a go and see if Sahil could benefit from it. After the very first session, we were surprised by how quickly Sahil took to hitting balls over the net and listening to the instructor. Importantly, he appeared to like the activity and was getting a sense of achievement at the same time. Sahil has been in the program only a few weeks now, but clearly there is a lot of potential for him to improve his technique, get exercise, and better his mental wellbeing. We just wish we had discovered the program earlier.” – Priya and Anoop
