A newly formed basketball program in New Jersey is more than just a clinic in shooting, passing and dribbling, it's giving adults with autism a chance to be seen and heard.
In an Essex County gym, Ben Hack was feeling sheer joy through the simple pleasure of making a swish from half court, again and again. And he did it all surrounded by people just like him.Walsh has doted on Hack since his autism diagnosis at 2 years old. He's now 24 and nonverbal. When it comes to life as an adult, he has few options.
"There are a lot of young adults with autism who are lonely," Walsh said. "Who need friends, who need places to go and other people to hang out with. I thought we just need a gym and we need people willing to work with us." Gerry O'Connor, the head coach for CYO Basketball at St. Joseph's High School in Maplewood, said Walsh came to him and asked if he could try to do a clinic for adults with autism.
"I said I don't know. I didn't go to school for special ed. I don't know," O'Connor said. "She said you can do this, don't worry about it just teach them."
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