MACON, Ga. — A local pickleball program is creating community and confidence for neurodivergent players in Central Georgia.
A group called Dinking Differently holds monthly sessions, bringing together students and adults with autism.
The name is a play on the pickleball term “dink,” which is a soft shot over the net.
Volunteers and parents helped participants practice basic skills and build confidence on the court.
Founder Charles Baima says the program received a $1,500 check from Central Georgia Autism to help pay for coaches, facility use and other support needed to keep the program growing.
“It’s about fun for this often overlooked population in our community,” Baima said. “We want to bring an inclusive activity to folks that are often overlooked, and pickleball is a very popular sport, and this goes to show that anyone can do it.”
Now that pickleball is in the Special Olympics, Baima also hopes to create a pipeline for participants to be able to compete at that level.