Inclusive Baseball Program For Teens and Adults With Autism Has Expanded Greatly

Recreational sports are very popular, especially amongst teenagers, and playing on a sports team is an excellent way to increase social skills while also getting active. For people on the spectrum, there are not always opportunities to participate in these sports and it is common for them to be denied the opportunity to play or join a team. After experiencing rejection from multiple sports teams, Taylor Duncan- a 25 year old man with autism- decided to put together a baseball team for people on the autism spectrum. Taylor’s goal was to provide people on the autism spectrum with the unique opportunity to participate on a sports team in a completely judgement-free zone and to help them build both their physical and social skills. He decided to form what he called the Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO).

One of the most special parts about ABO is that the game itself is not made easier and there is no special treatment given to the players just because they are on the spectrum. They are treated with the same level of respect and get to play the game the same way that professional baseball leagues do, and ultimately, people on the spectrum do not want to be treated differently than anyone else.

Taylor Duncan and his ABO team in 2016.

Duncan has thrived on watching his organization expand to 33 different states and 88 different teams since starting in 2016. People are truly inspired by Duncan and it is so apparent that he has made a huge impact on so many people’s lives since founding this organization. Duncan also emphasizes that the organization’s goal is not just to teach people on the autism spectrum how to play baseball, it is about developing good sportsmanship, confidence, learning how to cope with disappointment, and so much more. By focusing on building certain key social skills, team members are growing in so many ways within and outside of the sport itself.

Here at the American Autism Association, we strive to provide opportunities to people on the autism spectrum, and one way in which we provide opportunities is through our therapeutic recreational programs. Some examples of the programs we have provided include a soccer clinic, a ballet program, and an equine, or horse therapy program. Recreational sports and programs can be very helpful in strengthening social skills amongst children on the autism spectrum, and just like Taylor Duncan, we want to provide these helpful programs to our community as well.