Thumball Origins
Mary Miller Pembleton was working as a speech pathologist with a challenging class of students having a variety of learning challenges. While she found ways to effectively combine games with speech and language development activities, Mary noticed that when it was not their own turn the student’s didn’t pay attention to the activity and did not receive the benefit of learning from each other.
Writing vocabulary words on a small stuffed ball and allowing the students to play ball in class got their undivided attention! First passing the ball, then rolling it then gentle tosses. Finally a student asked “Why are there words all over the ball?”. The concept was explained that when the leader says "STOP" the person holding the ball must talk about the word found under their thumb. This worked well and best of all the students began learning from each other because they never took their eye off the ball!
After several months of making her own designs and using Thumball effectively Mary had a dream, a literal dream instructing her to, “Make this product and market it because no one has time to make their own games anymore!” The dream occurred on her deceased father’s birthday and felt like "he was communicating this idea to me almost like a gift." When Mary shared the dream with her partner (now husband) Gregg he immediately “got” the concept and saw the limitless potential.
Similar concepts have been used by educators often utilizing beach balls but it always had inherent flaws. It was important that the ball be sanitary, safe, easy to control and provide pleasing sensory input. Their designs reflect relevant content for improving communication and social skills useful for all people and especially those with Autism. The real invention was Mary and Gregg's decision to go forth and actually find a way to get Thumball patented, manufactured and marketed. Mary stated, "My husband’s optimism, life experience and tenacity made my dream into a reality."
The Pembleton household has never been the same and hearing from satisfied therapists, teachers, parents and children motivates them. Nineteen current Thumball designs are finding their ways into stores, catalogs, online
shops and overseas. New designs will be introduced at the end of summer
2009 including The Thumball Bible Set, Full Deck Thumball and
Baseball Thumball. Their business, Answers In Motion also creates custom Thumballs for companies that want a special way to market their products, supply useful learning tools to schools and effectively convey a message about their business.
Recent publicity and celebrity exposure have increased sales and has taken Thumball to the next level of brand recognition. Mary & Gregg Pembleton believed from the start that Thumball would become a household word and their enthusiasm has never waned. It began with a dream in the dark and now the future for Thumball is bright with possibilities.