MUNCIE, Ind. – Happy Hideaway Sensory Gym is the first sensory gym within the Muncie community and is tailored to families with neurodivergent children. After owner Crystal Altic saw that there was nowhere in Muncie for parents to take their children to have fun and be themselves, she took the issue into her own hands.
Altic created the Happy Hideaway Gym after her four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Autism. She had one goal in mind: making the gym a welcoming, inclusive and supportive space for children of all ages. The gym had its grand opening on Dec. 20, and since then, Altic has been experiencing so much support from the community.
“The community has been fantastic,” Altic said. “ I have not had a negative comment at all. Everybody is so thankful. They’re helpful, I mean-it is-it’s blown way out of proportion, way more than I could have expected.”
Altic and other parents have seen the positive impact the gym has made on their children’s confidence, social skills and their ability to feel heard and understood.
“I think the interactions between these kids, whether you’re diagnosed with autism or sensory disorders, they just get more real time to learn how to communicate and interact with the general public,” Altic said.
Parents like Daynarra Houston, whose child goes to the gym to play, explain how the Happy Hideaway Sensory Gym is nice to have close to home, since the closest one to Muncie is in Indianapolis. Houston and many other parents have seen growth in their own children’s development.
“This place is amazing,” Houston said. “Just really seeing how other kids can come here and be comfortable, anyone is welcome, and they truly can, just like, regulate themselves and play and have fun, and you know, be a kid.”
Altic doesn’t view the gym as just her business, but also a memory of her daughter, Brooke. Brooke died just under a year ago, and it was her goal to work at the gym and help her mom out. To honor her, Altic has a plaque that rests on the countertop of the gym as a reminder that Brooke will always be a part of the gym.
“Brooke would absolutely love this,” Altic said. “She could help, you know, run the counter or pick up the kids from school. I could totally see her coming in and opening it up. Oh yeah, she would definitely be so proud of this and be happy to work here.”
Altic hopes to continue growing the Happy Hideaway Sensory Gym and wants to expand the gym to different locations around Muncie so that every child has a chance to play freely and to be themselves.
Contact Ava Lens with questions at ava.lens@bsu.edu.
