Local Couple Creates First-of-its-kind Recreational Facility For Children With Special Needs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Nov. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- An Ohio couple launched a crowd-funding campaign on Wednesday, October 1st to open Hoot Studio, LLC, a multi-sensory activity center designed specifically for children with special needs. The family focused activity center will be the first of its kind in the state, offering a supportive environment for children with a variety of disabilities.

Hoot Studio CEO and Behavioral Therapist, Anna Brown, had spent years looking in her community for an inviting space where her clients could play. “Children with special needs can become overstimulated in public places and tend to draw unwelcome stares,” she explains. “I had trouble finding a supportive environment for them.” Many parents she worked with also experienced anxiety when out with their children in a public setting as a result of the lack of understanding of those they encountered. Anna and her husband Chris saw an opportunity to bring a much-needed service to the community and decided to open a facility of their own.

Hoot Studio is designed from the ground up to be both a fun and welcoming place for children of all abilities and their families. Several budget-friendly membership options will be available allowing families to select the right option for their needs. The center will feature a large gym with a variety of therapeutic equipment, a music room, and an art room. When children need a break they can enter the calming dark room equipped with soft lighting and interactive features. Before or after play families can grab a healthy snack or drink in the lounge area. Hoot Studio will also serve as a community center for parents, where they can find support and socialize with others who share their struggles, strengths, and successes.

To help get Hoot off the ground, Chris and Anna are utilizing a popular new way of raising their start-up capital, crowd-funding. Crowd-funding democratizes the process of starting a new business, product, or project by providing a platform for the public to contribute $1-$100,000 to something they need, want, or believe in. Chris draws from his background leading the talented team of designers at Columbus-based Trident Design, LLC to build the Hoot Studio campaign. “At Trident, we owe recent successes to our crowd-funding backers’ support. It allows us to launch record breaking products like the Quickey multi-tool and some of the coolest products coming to market today,” he explains. “An Indiegogo campaign will allow us to get our message out to the thousands of families and friends who want to support this kind of cause.” The couple has created buzz for the campaign through local advocacy groups and social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

Although Hoot Studio’s center hasn’t yet opened, Chris and Anna’s mission has brought hope to many parents in central Ohio. Hundreds of parents have showed enthusiasm and support, following Hoot’s Facebook page and newsletter. One states, “As a parent of a child with special needs it can be challenging to find places that are tailored to their needs…the world isn’t really built for these kids.” The benefits of a space like this is recognized by professionals, too. Local occupational therapist, Pam Carlson, explains, “Hoot Studio will be a one-of-a-kind indoor play space in Columbus, Ohio. It will have a unique combination of equipment for children with special needs, who would still like to swing, climb, jump, or who choose to play more quietly.  Let the fun begin!”

All families are encouraged to visit Hoot Studio and see if it is the right place for them. The space welcomes children with disabilities including: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADD, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, Angelman syndrome, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, and intellectual disability. Siblings and peers without special needs are invited to join the fun as Hoot Studio strives to build stronger families and lasting friendships.

Do you give a hoot?

To learn more about Hoot Studio, LLC and to spread the word, visit www.thehootstudio.com and www.facebook.com/thehootstudio.

Hoot Studio, LLC P.O. Box 577, Hilliard, Ohio 43026