Mats 4 All
The Story Behind Mats For All
Mats For All was created by Juliano Coutinho and Angeline Coutinho, inspired by their personal journey as parents of Lucca, who is on the autism spectrum.
Through their experience as a family and their work at Daniel Gracie Academy, they saw firsthand how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can build confidence, structure, and connection—while also recognizing how traditional class environments can be challenging for children with disabilities.
Mats For All was born from the belief that every child deserves access to the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, supportive, and inclusive space.
On the mat, children on the spectrum find not only technique, but also acceptance, trust and belonging.
Inclusion
Respect
Overcoming
Community
Self-confidence
Focus
Welcome to
Help Us Open the Mats to Every Child
At Mats For All, we believe in the transformative power of Jiu Jitsu for children on the autism spectrum. Our program is intentionally designed to be 100% free for families, removing financial barriers and ensuring every child has access to a safe, structured, and supportive training environment.
All donations directly support the growth of the program by:
Allowing more children to participate
Funding the high instructor-to-student ratio required for individualized support
Helping us fairly compensate trained instructors who make this program possible
Your support does not go toward profit—it goes straight onto the mats, into the hands of dedicated teachers, and toward creating opportunities for kids who benefit most from individualized attention and inclusive spaces.
With your help, we can continue to expand Mats For All and ensure that every child who wants to train has a place to belong.
Samantha McGinty, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist who has been dedicated to supporting pediatric and young-adult populations since 2018.
With a strong clinical focus on neurodiversity, Samantha specializes in speech therapy that is strengths-based and rooted in neuro-affirming principles for individuals with Autism, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities. Throughout her career, Samantha has prioritized creating inclusive, collaborative therapy environments that honor each person’s unique communication style and sensory needs. She works closely with families, educators, and interdisciplinary teams to promote meaningful progress and functional communication across home, school, and community settings. Samantha is thrilled to be joining the Mats for All team at Daniel Gracie.
She can be reached at samantha@smcgintyspeech.com for speech therapy evaluation, treatment, and consultation inquiries.
Jennifer Hevenor is a registered occupational therapist with 38 years of experience working with both adult and pediatric populations.
Jennifer utilizes child led play focusing on their strengths and interests to address each child’s individual needs to foster their development. Specializing in neurodivergent populations including Autism, ADHD and other developmental disabilities, she uses sensory processing play strategies to support self-regulation to enhance each child’s ability to participate in home, school and extra-curricular activities. Collaborating with parents and team members, she provides therapy to optimize each individual’s functional independence in physical, cognitive emotional and social skills.
In addition to her work as an OT she is a cofounder of Treasured Life Initiative Inc. TLI is an anti sex trafficking 501(c)(3) organization on Cape Cod, committed to raising awareness for prevention and supporting survivors in their recovery. Jennifer is excited to be joining the Mats for All team at Daniel Gracie
Join Us
Support Our Mission
Ready to Get Started?
See how easy it is to enroll your child in this transformative journey. We adapt our schedules to meet your needs with care and flexibility.
Help Keep This Dream Alive
Mats for All is 100% free and is only possible thanks to the generosity of people like you. Find out how you can support and be a part of this transformation. 
Why Jiu Jitsu?
Jiu Jitsu combines movement, discipline and routine in a fun way, helping children on the spectrum develop focus, confidence and resilience. Inspired by Juliano Coutinho's original message
A Vision Born from Experience
Our founder Juliano Coutinho, a dedicated Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, witnessed firsthand the profound impact the art can have. Seeing children on the spectrum flourish—gaining confidence, overcoming challenges, and finding joy on the mats—sparked the creation of Mats for All. It’s a journey we are privileged to share, watching young individuals grow and unlock their potential.
Inspired by Experience
Our founder, a dedicated Jiu Jitsu black belt, has experienced firsthand the positive impact of martial arts on children on the autism spectrum.
More than Techniques
Discoveries Here, Jiu Jitsu goes beyond physical practice — it reveals the hidden potential in each child, strengthening body, mind and heart.
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