Love Serving Autism Teams With USTA Eastern, Adelphi University For Free Special Needs Training & Clinic
This spring, Love Serving Autism teamed up with USTA Eastern to hold a special event on the campus of Adelphi University in Garden City, empowering coaches and instructors with approaches, skills and techniques to teach tennis to neurodivergent students.
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“By introducing inclusive racquet sports strategies rooted in therapeutic and evidence-based practices, we’re not just teaching tennis–we’re creating opportunities for connection, communication and confidence-building in individuals with autism and developmental challenges,” said Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, Founder of Love Serving Autism.
Based in Palm Beach, Florida, Love Serving Autism strives to create a world where individuals with autism and other developmental abilities are empowered through racquet sports to reach their full potential, fostering inclusive communities that celebrate and support their unique talents.
As a part of its mission, it not only conducts classes, clinics and seminars in Florida, but also helps educate tennis instructors across the country on how to institute these tactics to students in their programs. That was the impetus for this spring’s event at Adelphi, where Pugliese-LaCroix herself traveled to New York to team with USTA Eastern and the Adelphi Bridges Program, a support program for Adelphi University students who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, for a free clinic and training seminar for local coaches.
“Helping coaches and volunteers understand how to adapt their approach unlocks new doors for so many athletes who may have previously felt excluded from transitional sports settings,” Pugliese-LaCroix explained. “Inclusion doesn’t lower the bar–it raises the potential of everyone involved, both coaches and players.”
Pugliese-LaCroix spoke about her organization during a powerpoint presentation, sharing stories from families of those positively impacted from LSA, and discussing ways to communicate and welcome in players. The group then went out to the courts for more hands-on training, which included members of Adelphi’s Bridges Program taking part in drills and other games.
“One of the most heart-warming outcomes of this event was the enthusiastic participation of the neurodiverse Adelphi students on campus. They not only loved the experience, but expressed a strong desire for more inclusive racquet sports events in the future,” Pugliese-LaCroix said. “Equally inspiring was the involvement of Adelphi student volunteers, who shared how meaningful it was to make a direct impact through tennis. It was a true community moment that reflected the spirit of compassion, learning and shared joy.”
Being able to learn new techniques and effective teaching methods to introduce tennis and other racquet sports to more individuals can have a lasting impact, not just on the growth of tennis but also the lives of the students and players for whom these events serve.
“We’re incredibly grateful to USTA Eastern for organizing the event, and to Adelphi University for opening their campus and hearts to this initiative,” Pugliese-LaCroix concluded. “The response from the Long Island community was deeply encouraging. Events like this show how, with the right tools and inclusive mindset, we can transform tennis courts into spaces of belonging–one serve at a time.”
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