Capabilities- Play for ALL abilities is much more than a children's play place, it is a place of community for so many families that also gives back to various organizations. For many local families with special needs children, it has become a place that gives a sense of belonging in a world that doesn't always feel like it is built for our kids. Capabilities provides a fun welcoming environment that bridges the gap where everyone no matter their physical or mental challenges can have fun together. They also have a separate event room that is used to host birthday parties (they were voted the 2024 & 2025 winner Best of Dayton's "best place for a child's birthday party") and many different social events for kids and families. They host many field trips for local schools and private events. One of the most notable community events they have hosted was their pediatric equipment swap, where they were able to help many families in need of children's wheelchairs and various special needs equipment. For my family personally, we began coming to Capabilities when they first opened in 2023 looking for a place that my autistic son could enjoy that would not overwhelm him or lead to meltdowns. At the time as a new autism mom, I didn't have a place to go where it felt like I could just relax (lots of chasing involved in autism mom life!) and my child would be accepted and actually make friends. Capabilities quickly solved that problem for us and so much more; it became a place I knew I could go to on the days I didn't have the emotional bandwidth to explain my child's autism or say the inevitable "I'm sorry..." when my son's differences became obvious.

Recently, Lindsey the owner has been faced with business challenges outside her control. The cost of rising inflation forced their building's rent to be raised along with rising utility costs in an extremely hot summer season (which tends to be the hardest season financially for most indoor children's play places). They have also faced repeated plumbing issues and building maintenance challenges. Despite these hardships, Lindsey has continued to offer discounted rates for groups, birthday parties, and sales on memberships as she knows everyone in the community is also struggling with inflation. The business is run by two women who both have special needs children that not only dedicate their entire lives to Capabilities but do so while providing their own children's therapies and necessary equipment. This business is truly a labor of love and passion for helping the special needs community.

Despite the current situation, Capabilities still has their hopes set to many goals and future programs- a support group for mothers of autistic children, additional pediatric equipment swap events, networking across many organizations to assist their community, more social events for children, as well as a potential homeschooling support program for families. As a repeated customer over the years, I knew Lindsey didn't spend a dime on marketing and didn't take a salary for herself as everything she makes goes back into the business. I wanted to create this page to help where a real need existed in order for Capabilities to continue. Currently in our society, it is becoming increasingly more challenging for small businesses to survive; it's my opinion that some causes are worth fighting for, especially for our children's sake. Any support will be extremely appreciated and spent to make Capabilities thrive. The owner Lindsey will be added as a beneficiary to this page so all donations will directly go to Capabilities. Thank you so much for your support!!!