autastic-athletics-about

Let's Talk about Autastic Athletics

Autastic Athletics is an expanding program operating in the
Greater Metro Detroit area of Michigan. Founded in 2016 by Andrew Ackner, the program is designed to provide specialized sports training for autistic individuals. Andrew, a competitive two-sport athlete, coach, and personal trainer with autism, created Autastic Athletics to share his passion for sports with the autism community. Through this program, he offers tennis and bowling lessons as well as personal fitness training tailored for autistic athletes.

mission

Our Mission

The mission of Autastic Athletics is to become the leading name in advancing athletics within the autism community. Our goal is to provide high-quality coaching and training for autistic athletes, by autistic athletes. As part of this vision, we plan to recruit, hire, and train other autistic athletes who have achieved success in various sports. This will help expand our programming and allow us to reach even more individuals.

Andrew’s Journey in Sports

Andrew’s love for sports began at the age of four when his mother
introduced him to tennis and bowling. Since then, he has dedicated himself to these sports, competing at a high level throughout his teen years and beyond.

His accomplishments include:

  • Winning the 2020 Downriver Open as part of the championship doubles team in tennis.
  • Winning the 2021 Season Opener Doubles Tournament at Country Lanes alongside his wife.
  • Bowling a perfect game in a highly competitive invitational league at Country Lanes on January 23, 2024. (Check out the footage of his final two shots on the media page!)
  • Coaching athletes for over five years, helping others achieve their goals in sports.
  • 2009: Earning a spot in the Berkley High School Athletic Wall Of Fame for being voted All League his junior and senior seasons in Varsity Tennis.
  • 2024: Placing runner up alongside his daughter in mixed doubles at the Wyandotte Open.

The Importance of Athletics
for Autistic Individuals

Being an athlete has given Andrew a strong sense of passion and purpose. He believes physical activity is especially important for autistic individuals, as it promotes physical health, self-regulation, and stress reduction. Additionally, participating in sports builds confidence and social skills, making a significant impact on overall well-being. Recognizing this, Andrew has been offering personal fitness training to the ASD community for the past three years. Through tailored fitness programs, he helps individuals improve their strength, coordination, and overall fitness in a supportive and understanding environment.

involved

Get Involved!

Are you or a loved one on the autism spectrum interested in sports or fitness? Autastic Athletics is here to help! Whether on the tennis court, bowling alley, or in a fitness setting, we provide inclusive and supportive training for autistic athletes.

Take the first step toward becoming an Autastic Athlete today! Visit our enrollment page, give us a call, or fill out a contact form to get started. We can’t wait to see you in action!