Arnold resident Paige Bradtmueller is only 8-years-old, and one of the youngest independent business owners on the Broadneck Peninsula. She started her business, Fidget Stones by Paige when, “we were sitting at the table with some clay,” her mom, Gillian Bradtmueller said. “She was just creating.” Gillian said to her “I can post them online,” and they just took off. Paige said, fidget stones are clay disks “with a thumb print in the center that you rub when you are stressed, have anxiety and so much more. It helps to calm and relax the mind and body.” Paige creates customized Fidget Stones, and sells them to area merchants such as E.L. Company, 4530 Mountain Road in Pasadena, We Rock the Spectrum 160 Ritchie Highway Suite A-3 (Earleigh Heights Plaza), Severna Park, and 1st Class Gymnastics, 451 Defense Hwy. in Annapolis as well as creating custom orders. In addition to her stones and keychains, she recently branched into necklaces for when a fidgetier doesn’t have keys or pockets. That would allow users to wear fidget stones …
We can’t blame the school systems for closing Wednesday, Sept. 5. New Orleans wasn’t exactly slammed by Gordon, but these things can be hard to predict. Remember when they said Katrina was heading toward Florida? So now the kiddos are home, and what are you gonna do all day? Assuming you can play hooky from work, or some wonderful grandparents or other relatives or friends are willing to pitch in, here are some ideas. PLAY IN ESPLANADE’S INDOOR GYM While you’re at the Esplanade, visit We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, an indoor sensory gym. Designed especially for special needs children, the gym is open to all. “A sensory kids’ gym like this is for kids of all abilities… whether they have special needs or do not, they can enjoy it,” owner Brandi Boyd told NOLA.com. Read more here and visit the gym’s website here. It’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, features wildlife-themed crafts. Read More Here
We have something truly special lined up for you this Sunday, August 26, 2018! Tune into The Sunday Journal on KOST 103.5 between 6:30am – 7:00am and hear this story that will rock your world! The founder of “My Brother Rocks The Spectrum” and owner of “We Rock The Spectrum” Kids Gym in Tarzana, CA – Mrs. Dina Kimmel and new WRTS gym owner of the Pomona, CA location – Katie Haines share their personal stories of how this whole thing started. If you know of anyone within the Autism spectrum, this might really interest them. Help us spread the news and hear about the wonderful things happening at “We Rock The Spectrum” gyms worldwide! Listen below or click here.
Taking your kids to the park or a play centre poses challenges for many families that others are unaware of. One of my own children struggled with loud noises until he was four. A loud speaker, party whistle, even a busker would make him anxious so we modified where we went and what we did in those first years. Anxiety is something parents of kids who struggle with social skills often experience taking their kids to a playground. I once had a single dad as a patient tell me that he had stopped taking his son with autism to the local playground because any time he went another parent would pick a fight with him about his son’s challenging behaviour. I wish We Rock the Spectrum had been around then because I’m sure it would have become his safe haven. We Rock the Spectrum is an all abilities children gym that opened this weekend in Melbourne (Preston). The gym is a safe and fun place space …
Welcome to Australia’s first sensory gym for autistic children – a place where kids like Digby are encouraged to just be themselves. The gym comes equipped with a zip line for the little ones, plenty of play things and swing sets, all specially designed by occupational therapists. There’s space for psychologists and speech pathologists, and a “calming room” if kids need a break. “We wanted to create more of a family feeling, like going to a friend’s place to play.” It’s all the work of Digby’s mum Sally Johnson. “When my son was two or three, we were just finding it was more and more isolating not being able to take him to playgrounds because of sensory input issues and other people’s perceptions of his unusual behaviour at times,” the Thornbury mum said. Read More Here
When Sally Johnson’s son Digby was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age two, she was at a loss to find a safe and welcoming place for him to play. She longed for an affordable, inclusive venue where he could play freely on suitable equipment, and where she could meet families facing similar challenges. “Digby was severely delayed in many areas of development,” Ms Johnson said. “In some ways it was a kinder entry into autism. We realised pretty quickly that he wasn’t developing typically.” Read More Here
With a zip line for the kids, plenty of play things and swing sets, step inside Australia’s first sensory gym for autistic children. All of the equipment has been specially designed by occupational therapists. There’s a Calming Room and facilities for psychologists and speech pathologists. It’s the work of Sally Johnson, whose son, Digby, is autistic. Watch the segment below!
Australia’s first children’s gym built for children with sensory disorders will open in Melbourne’s north this weekend. Get a first look inside. Read More Here
It was the fifth time that Dina Kimmel was told she no longer could bring her autistic child to play at a public kids’ facility that made her realize she had had enough. Drying her tears of anger and frustration, the former Georgetown resident decided to do something about it, once and for all. And while it wasn’t just once — with Kimmel today amazed at having 70 We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms in the franchise she began just eight years ago — it definitely is for all. The latest opening of one of the play places where children are not turned away because of their genetically dictated behavior was Saturday, July 28, in Placerville, where a childhood friend of Kimmel’s was taking a leap of faith in opening up at 1412 Broadway. Keri McAtee, with the support and partnership of her husband Patrick, was all smiles during Saturday’s grand opening that saw folks lined up a half hour before it opened to get …
We Rock The Spectrum (WRTS) kid’s gyms have been popping up all over the country recently. These gyms are designed for children on the autism spectrum, using their unique sensory and therapy equipment to help them (and all children) with neurological growth and development. Also, they’re really fun! These amazing gyms include suspended swings, crash mats and pillows, zip lines, trampolines, and play structures. They also have sensory-based and fine motor toys available, as well as an arts and crafts area. POPSUGAR chatted with the gym’s CEO and founder, Dina Kimmel, about the importance of opening up WRTS around the country (and the world). And after you discover all the benefits and perks this wonderful kid’s gym has to offer, you’re going to want to sign your little ones up pronto. Keep reading for everything you need to know. Read More Here
