FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kids shrieked, ran, climbed, bounced, swung and spun. They mashed Play-Doh into shapes, stacked blocks and pretended to grocery shop. It was the grand opening of an inclusive gym for special needs kids in Fort Myers. More than 120 families walked through the doors of We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, located at 17640 South Tamiami Trail, on November 9. They were greeted by colorful sensory equipment, including carpet and hammock swings, a zipline with a crash pit and trampolines. Zara Flores-Bernard, 3, jumps on the trampoline at the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym in Fort Myers. The indoor playground allows kids of all abilities to have hands-on experiences and reach mental and physical milestones. Even if they aren’t usually social, kids who see others interacting may mirror their behaviors and begin to socialize. Xenon Harry, 2, pops out of a tunnel and smiles at Julian Fralicker, 5, at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym in Fort Myers. That’s according …
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym (WRTS) is an amazing place that allows kids of all ability levels to enjoy activities together. Maura and Kevin Coley, owners of WRTS Daphne are thrilled to bring this emotionally safe, all-inclusive play space to our community. Maura is a speech language pathologist and Kevin is a secondary level educator. Their professional paths serving children with individual needs like autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, Down Syndrome and sensory processing difficulties instilled in them a passion for helping children achieve their best and be successful in life while having fun. Although this equipment is designed to help children with sensory processing disorders, kids of all ages and ability levels can benefit from it. Everyone has a chance to learn and play together, as well as encourage each other.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — “We Rock the Spectrum” is a sensory friendly gym that kids throughout the community can enjoy. The gym is geared towards kids who are on spectrum, however, it is a fun and safe place for kids of all ages. The owner of the gym said her own kids inspired her to open this special type of gym. “Taking my daughter to various therapies over the past few years–– I met numerous parents with kids on the spectrum and with other disorders,” said Vee Patel. “And I really realized a need for a place like this for all kids to play and learn together.” The grand opening for the gym is Saturday, Nov. 9th at 10 a.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We Rock the Spectrum isn’t your typical indoor playground. It offers kids with special needs and those who are developing on track a place to let loose together. “The thing that’s wonderful, that I love about it, is that kids are in here and they’re learning, but they’re not being taught per se,” gym owner Fred Green said. Kids from the North Star Montessori School learn to play alongside others, who may be a little different. “They see children that still want to play, even if they have a physical disability, they still want to play and have fun,” North Star Montessori School owner Shari Askey said. The equipment is designed by occupational and physical therapists for kids of all abilities to play on — including special sensory items like a trampoline, bolster, crash pit and carpet swing, just to name a few. “The purpose is they’re kids. They’re going to play. They’re going to have fun. But when they’re doing …
We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym will celebrate its 1-year anniversary Saturday, Oct. 12, in the Northwest Shopping Center on Dundee Road, just east of Hicks Road. The party will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with fall treats and more. We Rock the Spectrum was designed for children with autism and other special needs. Arlington Heights residents Mary Alice and Hugh Gilgunn operate We Rock the Spectrum in the 3,400-square-foot space. It opened as the first Chicago-area location for the franchise based in Tarzana, California.
We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym in Placerville is geared toward children on the autistic spectrum or who have other special needs and Ashley Williams is there to experience all the fun!
PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) — We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym in Palatine is an inclusive place for kids. Opening just over a year ago, the indoor kid’s gym provides a safe space to learn and explore for all children. “As a Speech Therapist I was looking online, you know it’s all about social media, and I happen to see a post from a friend that is at the one in Staten Island NY and I was like, ‘that’s amazing we need one in our community,’” said We Rock the Spectrum Chicago co-owner Mary Alice Gilgunn. The inclusive play space offers something for everyone from swings, to zip lines, sensory walls and trampolines. If the main space isn’t for you, there is also an arts and craft space and a calming area to take a break. “A lot of our equipment is sensory based, so what that means is the equipment itself is going to feed into the sensory system for all of our bodies,” Gilgunn …
Julianna Titus climbs up a ladder Aug. 25 during her open-invite birthday party at We Rock the Spectrum in Austin. We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor play gym that’s geared toward children with autism but open to all abilities.
Julianna Titus eyes her birthday cake during her open-invite birthday party at We Rock the Spectrum on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Austin, Texas. We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor play gym that’s geared toward children with autism but open to all abilities. Because too often parents of differently abled children worry that no one will show up to their child’s birthday party, the gym has created open-invite parties.
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