of the business there are therapy rooms. An occupational therapist or speech therapist can meet their clients here, use the equipment, and if there’s a sibling, instead of being stuck on a tablet, they get to actually play,” Anderson adds. The play zone includes a jungle gym, a ‘tree nest,’ sensory stations and areas for children to explore their imaginations, like the miniature ‘ice cream shop’ and ‘vet clinic.’ If a child gets overwhelmed, there is a small ‘calm-down’ room that’s dark and quiet, with a camera inside so that caretakers can still see them. There are plenty of comfortable chairs for parents and guardians to rest while knowing their children are safe and having fun. Prana Play offers monthly memberships, as well as play passes for the day. The space can be rented out for birthday parties and other special occasions. They host classes such as sensory studios, flow arts, movement classes and silk classes, and Anderson is hoping to have even more events available soon. “We have partnered with an Olympic diving and gymnastics consultant, who specializes in brain and body and movement, and helping kids connect with their bodies,” she says. Prana Play is a few months behind the schedule Anderson first imagined. The tornado in April 2024 took out an entire “One of the biggest stigmas is that people wall of the building and required a long time believe special-needs families have to rebuild. The setback “almost sunk” her. all special-needs kids, so pretty much However, they opened in September and everything caters to special needs. The reality is that most families have one special- have been growing the business ever since. needs kid, and the rest are neurotypical. I “I started a nonprofit called Waves of wanted something that spoke to the hearts Change Foundation for Neurodiversity. My of the whole family,” she says. goal for that is to spark systemic change, starting in Indianapolis: providing support She wanted to have a place where parents for parents that isn’t just complaining, could relax but still easily keep an eye on but productive discussions. Our hightheir children. It was also important to her level priority is around the whole family, to have things to entertain children of all especially sibling support. Oftentimes when backgrounds, neurodivergent or not. you have a special-needs kid, they require “The vision was to create a sensory-friendly more time and support. We want to create support for them in a meaningful way, so space where kids could play and parents that they’re not feeling like they’re the can also access therapy. On one side of the caretaker,” she says. business there’s play, and on the front side both at once.
The foundation’s other goal is to encourage other local businesses to be more inclusive. “It doesn’t take money to have lights that don’t hum, or more soundproofing. The light bulbs here don’t buzz, but they’re the same price as the other ones that do. How do we help other communities and businesses do better at embracing those kids? These sound panels aren’t expensive. It requires an understanding and strategic thought,” she says. “To a neurotypical, we don’t hear the buzzing lights, but to my daughter, it’s unbearable.” While Victoria is autistic, Anderson found out that she herself and her other daughter, Olivia, both have ADHD. They learned that neurodiversity often runs in families. “It’s not bad, it’s not good, it’s just different. I’m glad that Victoria knows that she’s autistic. Exposure and talking about it matters so much. In our social skills classes, we bond all types of kids. The world is not very accepting and friendly right now. Unlike other things, such as anxiety, it tends to present pretty consistently. Every person experiences the world differently. If you know one autistic person, you only know one experience. That makes it more difficult for others to understand,” Anderson says. As for the future, she hopes to continue developing the second floor of the business into a place where older neurodiverse people can find community. “I fear when my kid becomes a teenager. I want, as the business grows, to provide a safe space for neurodiverse teenagers and adults. Maybe that’s a special-interest class, or a Pokemon tournament, or a gaming night. I want it not to be just about little kids, but to be a space that can grow with the whole family,” she says. Prana Play is open seven days a week. It’s located at 1019 3rd Ave. SW in Carmel. To learn more about memberships, classes and other events at Prana Play, visit pranaplaycarmel.com or call 317653-0444. For more information about the Waves of Change Foundation, visit wavesofchangefoundation.org. TownePost.com | April 2026 | 15