MORRISTOWN, N.J. — About five years ago, Morristown’s Matthew Certner set out to create a welcoming environment for children with special needs, particularly those affected by autism, on the town’s ball fields, courts and diamonds.
Inspired by family friends who have an autistic child, Certner cultivated a non-competitive setting and emphasized fun.
The initial session drew about 10 kids, and the Special Needs Athletic Programs were born.
Within a few years, Certner, now 19 and a sophomore at Duke, and his younger brother, Zachary, had expanded the initiative to nearby towns. This year, the programs have drawn 100 families in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains. Now part of a non-profit corporation, the programs have also taken root in Warren, Lodi and Wayne.
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