Meet Sean, a bright and determined 17-year-old with a big heart and an even bigger love for sports.
Sean is a smart, kind, and funny young man who has worked incredibly hard to overcome the challenges that have come with his autism diagnosis. When he was younger, Sean was non-verbal and communicated with token boards and visual cues, but over time, he found his voice—often using Disney movie lines to express himself. Today, he continues to use those lines in creative and meaningful ways.
Sean thrives with structure and routine. He doesn’t always pick up on social cues or understand the nuances of language, and he faces some sensory challenges, especially with food textures and colors. He’s also experienced delays in academics and motor development, but that hasn’t stopped him from living life to the fullest.
Playing sports didn’t come easily at first, but with support from programs like Open Door Sports and ACEing Autism, Sean has developed athletic skills and built strong friendships with others like him.
Sports have become a powerful way for Sean to connect with the world. He knows players, teams, and stats—whether it’s high school, college, or the pros—and loves using that knowledge to spark conversation. He currently serves as the JV basketball team manager at Whitman High School and he loves to play basketball with his friends.
Sean’s biggest Dream is to have a VIP experience with the Georgetown University basketball team and the Georgetown Collegiate Dream Team cannot wait to make that Dream a reality!




