New ACEing Autism programs set to begin in Kansas City, Oklahoma City

Upon returning to his hometown at the time of Des Moines, Iowa, Wehrenberg contacted ACEing Autism and quickly got a program up and running. He served as program director for five years in Iowa before moving to central Oklahoma in July and constructing a new ACEing Autism program in OKC.

“There is nothing better than seeing a kid on the court who maybe is not getting the most attention or the most credit, whether it is school or peers,” Wehrenberg said. “And then seeing them excel on the tennis court is very rewarding. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to continue with them. It’s just been something I’ve been passionate about for years.”

In addition to impacting children with autism, Wehrenberg has worked with kids with Down syndrome and has partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His wife is the clinical treatment director of the Inner Circle Autism Network in Edmond and, as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, has extensive experience working with children who are part of the adaptive community.

Together—and courtesy of a partnership with AutismOklahoma, which is helping provide participants and volunteers—the husband-and-wife tandem is ready for the Oklahoma City ACEing Autism program to begin. The inaugural season runs April 6 to May 18 at Life Time Athletic Oklahoma City and includes ages 5 to 10 for the first hour and ages 11 to 18 the second hour.

Wehrenberg is hoping to have six to eight participants and volunteers attending both the first hour and second hour. He said there is room for more, and interested participants and volunteers can click here for additional information. He credited ACEing Autism with an excellent structure and streamlined curriculum he called “second to none.” Some of his program’s athletes advanced to additional tennis play opportunities.

“Some even did interviews for the local TV station,” Wehrenberg said. “It was very exciting to see them with their shirts and gear talking about it and being very enthusiastic about their experience.”

ACEing Autism’s Incredible Impact

The Overland Park ACEing Autism session will occur April 5 to May 10 for ages 5 to 18. Nine athletes are registered with interested participants able to join a wait list. With more volunteers, Falkner Axelrod said, additional athletes would be able to join in on the action.

Falkner Axelrod was largely nonverbal as a child and had a difficult time finding the right sport until she tried tennis at the age of 6. She quickly fell in love with it and went on to play collegiately at Augustana University in South Dakota. Tennis helped Falkner Axelrod find her voice, and she is looking forward to the imprint her ACEing Autism program and others across the country will have on children.

“You’re able to get those social skills, fitness, have fun—all those things,” she said. “That’s why the mission really hit close to home, and that’s why I’m a proud board member. I want to continue bringing that mission to more programs across the country.”

ACEing Autism currently features 183 programs across 31 states with 6,000-plus registrants. The organization encouraged individuals interested in potentially starting a community program of their own to visit their website for details. Laura Gambrell, director of development and marketing at ACEing Autism, noted the nonprofit is growing at a rate of 25 to 30 percent annually with programs in nearly 200 communities.

“Each new program helps us spread the message that tennis is a fantastic, inclusive sport that can truly benefit children with autism,” Gambrell said. “ACEing Autism is experiencing remarkable growth as families with children on the spectrum seek accessible, comfortable and affordable social and fitness programs. Our groundbreaking tennis curriculum and personalized support empower children, fostering their development with measurable, positive outcomes for both kids and volunteers.”

Gambrell called it “truly amazing” to have Falkner Axelrod leading the charge in Kansas City, particularly with her background and embodiment of the transformative power of tennis in her life. Gambrell is excited for the impact both the KC and OKC programs will have on their respective communities as they advance ACEing Autism’s reach.

“Our mission focuses on connecting kids on the autism spectrum through tennis, but we emphasize their development both on and off the court—from enhancing their motor skills to boosting their social skills and self-esteem,” Gambrell said. “It’s about more than just tennis; it’s about creating a supportive community where these kids can thrive.”

To learn more about the Kansas City ACEing Autism program, click here, and to learn more about the Oklahoma City program, click here. To learn more about World Autism Month taking place in April, click here.