Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Dearmore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
As an autism mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find truly inclusive play spaces for children like my daughter. Every outing felt like a challenge—either the environment was overstimulating, the activities weren’t suited to her needs, or I found myself constantly explaining autism to others. Even when I did find a place she enjoyed, I had to be a helicopter mom, hovering over her every move to make sure she was safe and accommodated. Instead of relaxing and connecting with other parents, I was always on high alert.
I longed for a space where my daughter could play freely—where she could explore without barriers, where I wouldn’t have to explain or justify her differences, and where I could meet other parents who simply got it. A place that wasn’t just accepting of autistic children but designed for them.
That’s when the idea for Colors of the Alphabet was born. I realized that if I was struggling to find a space like this, other families must be, too. There were sensory-friendly events here and there, but nothing permanent in the Fort Worth area that truly centered on autistic children and their unique ways of engaging with the world. I knew this was more than just a business—it was a solution to a real problem.
What excited me most was creating a space where kids like my daughter could just be themselves. No judgment, no need for explanations—just a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where they could thrive. And just as importantly, a space where parents like me could feel seen, supported, and part of a community that understands.
That vision turned into Colors of the Alphabet, and it’s been incredible to see the impact it’s already making. Watching children light up as they explore our sensory-rich activities and seeing parents finally able to exhale and connect has confirmed what I knew from the start—this wasn’t just a good idea, it was necessary.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Heather Dearmore, and I’m the co-founder of Colors of the Alphabet, an indoor sensory playground designed specifically for children with autism and sensory needs. More importantly, I’m an autism mom who deeply understands the challenges families like mine face when trying to find safe, inclusive, and judgment-free spaces for our kids to play.
My husband and I have always dreamed of starting our own business, and since we met, we’ve talked about creating a space for children on the spectrum. We’d throw around ideas for summer camps and programs, imagining what we could build to truly support families like ours. He’s a realtor, and I was a high school English teacher, but our passion for making a difference in the autism community has always been compelling.
The inspiration for Colors of the Alphabet came from my personal experience with my daughter. I struggled to find play spaces where she could truly be herself—without me having to constantly explain autism to others or be on high alert because the environment wasn’t designed with her needs in mind. I wanted a place where she could feel safe, have fun, and engage in activities that suited her sensory preferences. When I realized that such a place didn’t exist in the Fort Worth area, we knew it was time to turn our dream into reality.
At Colors of the Alphabet, we offer a welcoming, thoughtfully designed space filled with sensory-rich activities that encourage exploration and engagement without overwhelming the senses. Our goal is to provide children with autism and sensory needs a space where they can play comfortably while giving parents peace of mind and a sense of community.
What sets us apart is that we aren’t just a typical indoor playground—we are purposefully designed for neurodivergent children. Every detail, from the lighting to the textures to the layout, is intentional. We also offer seasonal day camps for spring break and summer, bringing our original ideas to life in a way that provides structure, fun, and social opportunities for kids during school breaks. Beyond the play space, I’m passionate about advocacy and education, and I hope to expand our impact by speaking at conferences, schools, and community events to share our story and raise awareness.
What I’m most proud of is the community we are building. Seeing children light up as they engage in activities designed just for them and watching parents connect, share, and feel understood is incredibly fulfilling. I want every family who walks through our doors to know that they are seen, supported, and that they belong.
For parents seeking a space where their child can play freely, for educators and therapists looking for sensory-friendly activities, and for advocates who want to see more inclusion in our communities—Colors of the Alphabet is here to fill that void.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Scott and I met at a time when we were both rebuilding our lives. We were both divorced, single parents, and completely starting over—doing our best to make tiny apartments feel like home for our children while dreaming of bigger and better things ahead. I had just completed chemo 16 months prior, and Scott, feeling like he might never find the right person, had nearly given up on dating.
Then one day, I liked his photo on an online dating app, and he sent me a message. We started texting, sharing our hopes and dreams, and quickly realized we had more in common than we ever expected—including the same birthday! Our connection was instant, and a little over a year later, we were married, combining our families and continuing to dream together.
From the very beginning, we talked about creating something meaningful—something that would make a real difference. We knew we wanted to start a business together, and because we both had a heart for children, we often tossed around ideas. As an autism mom, I struggled to find inclusive spaces for my daughter, and we realized we could build the very thing we had been searching for. That’s how Colors of the Alphabet was born—not just as a business, but as a shared dream that grew out of our journey together.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In February of 2019, my daughter was diagnosed with autism. I immediately got her into speech therapy, and she was making huge strides. By her second birthday in May, she was saying several words and adding more words daily. But later that year in November, after months of being in excruciating pain, I received my own diagnosis—cancer.
I had to make the heartbreaking decision to put all of my daughter’s therapies on hold so I could go through nine months of chemo and surgery. As a mother, it was devastating to pause her progress, but I knew the only way I could truly be there for her was to fight for my own health first.
The moment I finished treatment, I focused on getting her services started again. It was a difficult journey, but six years later, my daughter is thriving—and I have been cancer-free for nearly five years. I’m so grateful to be here to advocate for my girl and to watch her grow…and now I can take my experiences and use them to help other families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colorsofthealphabet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorsofthealphabet_nrh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Colors-of-the-Alphabet/61558021051044/?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=twBx9XQhLbR62jbg&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F5xFdXucLTHT9JaGB%2F%3Fmibextid%3DLQQJ4d
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
I took all photos myself – no image credits needed