Wendy Ross, founder of Autism Inclusion Resources, is helping people with autism socialize and find joy through sport, write Jon Wertheim and Stephanie Apstein for Sports Illustrated.

The Wynnewood resident, who is a developmental and behavioral-health pediatrician, started the nonprofit AIR six years ago to tackle the issues of living with autism.

This involves helping her patients learn how to get through the week and prepare for the future.

The organization started with trips to museums before Ross set her sights on team sports as the best way to bring them into socialization situations.

While several teams in the region have been holding autism awareness nights where the announcer volume is lowered and autistic fans are seated together, Ross wanted to make it a family event.

To achieve this, she held training sessions for all 3,000 game-day staffers at Citizens Bank Park, from ushers to hot dog vendors where she explained autism, dispelled myths, and provided strategies.

“If something happens in a game, everybody is going to cheer, it’s going to get loud,” said Ross. “You can’t turn the volume down on the world.”

Read more about Ross’ efforts at Sports Illustrated by clicking here.