Philadelphia, PA – November 6, 2007 –- When a young mother of three small children discovered that her daughter was overwhelmed by crowds, noise and other issues, she desperately wanted to help her daughter deal with the deluge of sensations.
That mother, Aviva Weiss, was also an occupational therapist, and recognized her child had sensory processing difficulties. She looked online and in a number of catalogs for a weighted vest, known among therapists for its calming effect. What she discovered were a number of expensive and unattractive products that simply didn’t feel right for her four-year-old daughter.
"I was shocked by how expensive those vests were, and that none of them were cute, fun, or kid-friendly,” said Weiss. “Some of them were just very poorly made. I wanted something my four-year-old daughter would want to be seen in, and would enjoy wearing. Eventually, I realized that I'd have to make it myself."
What Weiss had learned was that parents of children with special needs, and the therapists who help them, all faced that same problem. So she founded Fun and Function, to create and provide creative therapy toys, equipment and resources that are more functional, kid-friendly, and most importantly, affordable, without compromising on quality or safety.
This past summer, Fun and Function issued its first catalog, with a second on the way. The new catalog features over 300 new products. All of the products available from Fun and Function are designed and tested by therapists to ensure the highest quality and greatest value.
Fun and Function also recently launched its new web site, at http://www.funandfunction.com/. The web site features the full selection of products, as well as interactive features and resources for parents and therapists including blogs, videos, and informative articles and links to outside organizations. There is also an e-mail newsletter for parents and therapists to receive updates on new products and services, as well as information about issues that affect children with special needs and their families.
The creative therapy toys, equipment and resources from Fun and Function are available for children with a variety of special needs. A number of products are divided into a particular skill being developed, such as gross motor, fine motor, perception, sensory, speech and oral skills. Fun and Function offers a full range of therapy products, from early intervention pegboards for three-year-olds to puzzles and balance boards for older kids. The sensory section offers hard-to-find compression vests and tactile cushions in unique designs that are also affordable.
Fun and Function fills a need that has until now been unmet by large companies and manufacturers. Their personal approach as well as their therapist-to-therapist and mother-to-mother attitude has created a community and a service that has already impacted hundreds of lives. Weiss has personally attended a number of conferences, seminars and workshops over the past six months spreading the word about Fun and Function, and that personal touch has extended to numerous interactions and contacts with parents and therapists around the country.
Customer comments have been universal in their praise of Fun and Function. One customer recently wrote that “as an occupational therapist working with a very limited budget, I am so thankful that you offer such great products at affordable prices.” A parent wrote that “when your toys arrived, my child found them irresistible and played for hours.” Another said, “It really helps to talk to people who can relate closely to what we go through. Thanks for your help, and for making a difference and helping so many children.”
"We're not a huge, impersonal company talking down to parents or therapists, telling them what they need, and overcharging them for the privilege," said Weiss. “As a therapist as well as a parent, I understand what both are looking for, and I’m open to their feedback about our products. I’m committed to providing affordable therapy equipment and toys to children with special needs and their caregivers.
“I know first-hand that raising a child with special needs can consume parents’ personal resources and believe that it shouldn’t consume their financial resources, too,” Weiss said. “I also understand that schools and therapists struggle with diverse student needs and budgetary constraints. I’ve worked hard to create a company where your child is our child. I know that for your child, good enough is not good enough, so I am always looking for products that are of excellent quality, and meet or exceed standards of excellence.”
About Fun and Function:
Created by therapists and parents concerned for children with special needs, Fun and Function finds the world's most imaginative and creative therapy toys, equipment and resources and provides them at amazingly low prices. Fun and Function strives to provide affordable, delightful, fun and functional products that conserve the financial resources of parents, teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and other professionals who help children with special needs. Additional information is available at http://www.funandfunction.com/.
Media Contact:
That mother, Aviva Weiss, was also an occupational therapist, and recognized her child had sensory processing difficulties. She looked online and in a number of catalogs for a weighted vest, known among therapists for its calming effect. What she discovered were a number of expensive and unattractive products that simply didn’t feel right for her four-year-old daughter.
"I was shocked by how expensive those vests were, and that none of them were cute, fun, or kid-friendly,” said Weiss. “Some of them were just very poorly made. I wanted something my four-year-old daughter would want to be seen in, and would enjoy wearing. Eventually, I realized that I'd have to make it myself."
What Weiss had learned was that parents of children with special needs, and the therapists who help them, all faced that same problem. So she founded Fun and Function, to create and provide creative therapy toys, equipment and resources that are more functional, kid-friendly, and most importantly, affordable, without compromising on quality or safety.
This past summer, Fun and Function issued its first catalog, with a second on the way. The new catalog features over 300 new products. All of the products available from Fun and Function are designed and tested by therapists to ensure the highest quality and greatest value.
Fun and Function also recently launched its new web site, at http://www.funandfunction.com/. The web site features the full selection of products, as well as interactive features and resources for parents and therapists including blogs, videos, and informative articles and links to outside organizations. There is also an e-mail newsletter for parents and therapists to receive updates on new products and services, as well as information about issues that affect children with special needs and their families.
The creative therapy toys, equipment and resources from Fun and Function are available for children with a variety of special needs. A number of products are divided into a particular skill being developed, such as gross motor, fine motor, perception, sensory, speech and oral skills. Fun and Function offers a full range of therapy products, from early intervention pegboards for three-year-olds to puzzles and balance boards for older kids. The sensory section offers hard-to-find compression vests and tactile cushions in unique designs that are also affordable.
Fun and Function fills a need that has until now been unmet by large companies and manufacturers. Their personal approach as well as their therapist-to-therapist and mother-to-mother attitude has created a community and a service that has already impacted hundreds of lives. Weiss has personally attended a number of conferences, seminars and workshops over the past six months spreading the word about Fun and Function, and that personal touch has extended to numerous interactions and contacts with parents and therapists around the country.
Customer comments have been universal in their praise of Fun and Function. One customer recently wrote that “as an occupational therapist working with a very limited budget, I am so thankful that you offer such great products at affordable prices.” A parent wrote that “when your toys arrived, my child found them irresistible and played for hours.” Another said, “It really helps to talk to people who can relate closely to what we go through. Thanks for your help, and for making a difference and helping so many children.”
"We're not a huge, impersonal company talking down to parents or therapists, telling them what they need, and overcharging them for the privilege," said Weiss. “As a therapist as well as a parent, I understand what both are looking for, and I’m open to their feedback about our products. I’m committed to providing affordable therapy equipment and toys to children with special needs and their caregivers.
“I know first-hand that raising a child with special needs can consume parents’ personal resources and believe that it shouldn’t consume their financial resources, too,” Weiss said. “I also understand that schools and therapists struggle with diverse student needs and budgetary constraints. I’ve worked hard to create a company where your child is our child. I know that for your child, good enough is not good enough, so I am always looking for products that are of excellent quality, and meet or exceed standards of excellence.”
About Fun and Function:
Created by therapists and parents concerned for children with special needs, Fun and Function finds the world's most imaginative and creative therapy toys, equipment and resources and provides them at amazingly low prices. Fun and Function strives to provide affordable, delightful, fun and functional products that conserve the financial resources of parents, teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and other professionals who help children with special needs. Additional information is available at http://www.funandfunction.com/.
Media Contact: