207: How to Support Communication Skills for Neurodivergent Individuals with Racquet Sports

In this episode, I am joined by Lisa Pugliese-Lacroix, a USPTA and PTR Elite Certified Tennis Professional and a certified Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in autism. Lisa shares her journey of combining her passion for tennis with speech therapy to benefit children and adults with autism through her unique nonprofit organization, Love Serving Autism. The conversation covers the organization's growth, its mission, and the various awards it has received for promoting inclusion in racket sports. Lisa explains how the program incorporates various therapies into tennis and pickleball sessions to enhance communication and social skills among participants. The episode also touches on the future goals for the organization, including establishing a dedicated facility and expanding training programs for coaches and therapists. The discussion underscores the importance of SLPs trying new treatment settings and the broader benefits for both practitioners and their clients. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.