PEP Prentiss Autism Center recently held its tenth annual “March Madness” basketball skills competition to the delight of students, staff, and families. The event, held each March, gives students the opportunity to participate in structured, basketball-based competitions alongside their peers.
PEP Prentiss Autism Center serves young people ages 5–22 with autism and other complex developmental disabilities. For many students, the basketball skills competition represents a rare opportunity to take part in a group athletic experience, something that can be difficult to access in more traditional school environments.
The competition is intentionally designed so every student can participate. All students compete in preliminary rounds in February, with top scorers advancing to the finals at the end of the month. The culminating event is held in front of an enthusiastic crowd of peers, staff, and families.
Students compete across five events:
- Total number of layups in one minute
- Best of 10 passing accuracy
- Best of 10 free throws
- Consecutive dribbles in 30 seconds
- Staff/student team shooting challenge
PEP Prentiss Occupational Therapist David Weiss, who coordinates the event, says it has become a highlight of the school year.
“It’s something students and staff look forward to all winter,” he says. “There’s a sense of anticipation and pride that builds as they practice and prepare.”
While the energy and excitement are unmistakable, Weiss emphasizes that the impact goes far beyond the competition itself.
“Students are practicing how to manage nerves, stay regulated in front of a crowd, and maintain focus despite distractions,” he explains. “These are skills that carry over into the classroom, into the community, and into everyday life.”
Just like their peers in traditional school settings, students are also learning about teamwork, sportsmanship, and how to navigate success and disappointment in a supportive environment.
For many students at PEP Prentiss, experiences like the March Madness competition are not extras. They are essential. They reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that every child has access to meaningful, developmentally appropriate opportunities to grow, connect, and succeed. It’s a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when the right supports, and the right opportunities, are in place.