Emily Werman coaching a young athlete during a clinic and conference run by ACEing Autism in association with UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Moose Toys, Deakin University, AllPlay and with the help of Pam Shriver & Vania King.

The Help Group is proud to announce that Emily Werman, a Help Group graduate and an accomplished tennis player who returned to our campus to teach, is the recipient of the ACEing Autism national essay contest. Emily, who helps to lead the ACEing Autism school tennis program here at The Help Group, will be flown to New York as a recipient of the prize. While there, she will be a guest at the U.S. Open, and attend several events, and a conference related to ACEing Autism where she will be able to promote the importance of the program to the autism community. She will also have the honor of helping run the ACEing Autism Clinic at Flushing Meadows where the U.S Open is held.

“I decided to enter into this essay competition because I have found this program so rewarding,” says Emily. “I wanted to express how ACEing Autism has impacted my life and the lives of so many other children and families. Having been selected as the winner of this essay is a dream come true.”

ACEing Autism is a non-profit organization, and its mission is to connect children with autism and their families through a unique tennis program. ACEing Autism promotes lifelong skills for young people with autism, such as physical fitness, social interaction, communication, and teamwork building.

“Coaching through the ACEing Autism program at The Help Group offered me a great opportunity to connect my love for tennis to working with kids on the spectrum. Moreover, I’m able to convey an important message: progress not perfection. I always remind students that we all make mistakes and that’s okay. The important thing is to never give up and keep trying. There is always room to grow and improve, and getting better takes practice, just like anything else. These are the critical life lessons that were imparted to me at The Help Group as a young person,” remarked Emily.

Emily attended The Help Group from 7^th to 12^th grade, and even began coaching tennis to afterschool groups through ACEing Autism while she was a student. She later went on to attend Cal Lutheran University, and play tennis at the collegiate level while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Disabilities Studies.

“Emily is simply an outstanding teacher and tennis coach here at The Help Group. She’s truly an accomplished individual and we are so moved by her excellent, award-winning essay.  The Help Group is honored to have helped Emily achieve her lifelong goals,” said Dr. Susan Berman, COO at The Help Group.

4. (L-R) Help Group Students in  The ACEing Autism Program on The Sherman Oaks Campus, Richard Spurling, Co-Founder of ACEing Autsim, Emily Werman