Ben Schwartzman, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Ben currently is an instructor at Foothill College in the Tools for Transition and Work Program for adults with special needs. Ben has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities since 2009 and received his Ph.D. in Education from UCLA. Ben has coached baseball and basketball for youth with and without disabilities, having previously coached at the YMCA, Challenger Little League, Page Youth Center, UCSB Basketball Camp, and Derek Fisher's Basketball Academy from 2010-2012.
Bryan Anderson, M.S.W.
League Co-Director
Bryan Anderson is a behavioral therapist, clinical social worker, and creator of Grab the Wheel Kids, which is a therapy practice and consulting firm offering Anger Management and Social Skills coaching to young children, and training opportunities to parents, teachers, and therapists. He received his B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College, and his M.S.W. from Columbia University. Bryan trained and worked at the University of California, Los Angeles in the Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program (ECPHP) for 4 years.
Jessica Hopkins
Communications Director
Jessica is currently a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at Palo Alto University. Previously, she worked as a Staff Research Associate at the UCLA Center for Autism Research & Treatment under the advisement of Dr. Connie Kasari, working with minimally verbal, preschool-aged children with ASD, Down Syndrome, Dup15q, and other developmental disabilities. In addition to having a brother on the autism spectrum, Jessica has worked with youth with autism and developmental disabilities for 11 years in treatment and recreational settings, and is passionate about this fantastic group of individuals.
Our organization consists of dedicated mental health professionals who are experienced in providing fun and fulfilling ways to exercise through team cooperation, and encouraging the development of communication skills, making friends, self-esteem, sense of belonging, and fulfillment through team basketball. Furthermore, we are dedicated to creating an environment not just of tolerance, but compassion and understanding for athletes with special needs.
About Us
