A physician. A coach. A believer in the power of play for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Suraj Achar, MD, FAAFP
Professor, UCSD School of Medicine
The Autism Sports Foundation was born out of 13 seasons of coaching youth basketball and soccer. On the field, a clear pattern emerged: when neurodivergent children engaged in structured team sports alongside their peers, they didn’t just learn to pass or shoot, they made dramatic leaps in active listening, team coordination, and social communication.
Driven to validate these clinical and observational insights through academic rigor, this work expanded into a formal Academic Senate Grant project spanning six months.
The pilot study examined the impact of targeted athletic movement on neurodivergent students in a school setting. Using standardized teacher evaluations to measure social communication and behavioral outcomes, the results were definitive:
Today, the Autism Sports Foundation scales this methodology, combining the joy of sports with neuroscience to unlock brain connectivity, cerebellar function, and lifelong confidence for every child.
We’re dedicated to helping children with autism build confidence, develop skills, and discover joy through sports.
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