DAPHNE, Ala. (WKRG) — In tonight’s What’s Working, we take you a place where children with special needs can let loose and have fun. It’s a new kid’s gym in Daphne that opens a week from Sunday. It’s called “We Rock the Spectrum Daphne.” It’s a place where typical children and those with special needs can play together. “We Rock the Spectrum” is a national franchise and the first location in Alabama. Owners, Kevin and Maura Coley, wanted to open a place where special needs children could feel safe while enjoying themselves. Maura has worked with special needs children as a speech pathologist. The “We Rock” gym provides sensory-safe play for children with autism, special needs, and neurotypical development. The zip line and many swings are the highlight. Maura and Kevin Coley are opening “We Rock the Spectrum” gym in Daphne. “We really encourage total inclusion. It’s good for our kids with special needs, and it’s great for our kids who are typically developing. The more opportunities we give to …
From a zip line, indoor play structures and sensory-based toys to suspended equipment with swings, crash mats and pillows, plus a fine motor arts and crafts area, We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym is Dubai’s ultimate edutainment venue. “Play with purpose is about kids playing and having fun while developing physically, cognitively and socially. We’re passionate and committed to creating experiences for young ones to learn and grow,” says Dr Nashila Farrah Jaffer, the chiropractor and entrepreneur behind the international franchise’s arrival to Dubai. Through movement, little ones improve their range of motion, balance, muscle strength, coordination and endurance. “We encourage kids of all ages and abilities to interact with eachother in harmony,” adds Dr Nashila. “You’ll see a two-year-old and nine-year-old playing side by side, it’s beautiful.” We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym is a sensory hub. Every piece of equipment is designed to stimulate certain parts of the brain through movement. Read More Here
BRANDON — Sara Battaglia has always loved dance. Growing up in North Port, she recalls her mom working two jobs to help offset studio tuitions that eventually led her to the Sarasota Ballet School, the School of Russian Ballet. She eventually studied dance at the University of South Florida before a hip injury mid-semester caused her to withdraw from dance. “I was bored,” said Battaglia, 23. “I wanted to dance and give back to the community.” In May of 2017 she held her first dance class for about five children at the Brandon Moose Lodge because the space was free, and she could provide a low-cost dance experience for parents and their kids. Since bingo and fish fries aren’t exactly a kid-friendly environment, Battaglia moved her instruction to the party room in We Rock the Spectrum indoor gym and Dancing for Donations was born. Now, one month after expanding into its own 1,500 square foot space next door at 1076 E Brandon Blvd., No. 101, …
EDWARDSVILLE/COLLINSVILLE – St. John’s Community Care and We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is partnering to host Intergenerational music classes. Intergenerational Music is the bringing together of children and the elderly for an enjoyable session of fun and music resulting in bridging the ages. St. John’s Community Care is a faith-based organization offering help to people challenged by aging and disabilities by offering aging and dementia care support services and resources in the river bend community since 1985. We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms has been in Edwardsville a little over a year and was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. Franchise owner, Jennifer Range said the thought of offering Intergenerational Music Classes came to her when she saw a senior gentleman getting off a van in front of St. John’s Community Care’s Edwardsville Day Program facility, which is next store to Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym. She said he looked so sad, which started …
13-year-old Brandon loves to explore and try new things so We Rock the Spectrum was the perfect place for his adventure. This sweet teen has lived without a family for more than nine years. He’s ready to settle into one family and start moving forward with his life. He enjoys being active. Brandon also has a little wish. He would like a pair of roller skates! If you would like to learn more about becoming part of Brandon’s life or granting his little wish, please call the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition at 1-800-FOSTER3. A special thank you to “We Rock the Spectrum.” For more information about open gyms and other events, please visit werockthespectrumfentonmo.com. Read More Here
Thanks to an English teacher’s recommendation, Prospect High School senior Natalie Pizzato will paint a rock wall mural in the first “sensory gym” franchise of its kind in the Chicago area. This week, Pizzato is packing up her art gear and getting ready to paint at We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym, prior to its planned Saturday, Oct. 6 opening. The gym is located in the Northwest Shopping Center in Palatine on Dundee Road. Arlington Heights resident and gym owner Mary Alice Gilgunn can’t wait to see Pizzato’s creative vision take form. Gilgunn, a former speech-language pathologist who worked for Park Ridge-Niles School Dist. 64, knows the importance of correct sensory input and how beneficial motor play is to a child’s development. Read More Here
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Parents of children with autism have a chance to help researchers understand it better through a ground-breaking new local study. So far, researchers have identified hundreds of genes that may increase the risk for autism, but they say there are likely thousands of genes involved. This study aims to pinpoint those genes to help find better treatments. Nuris Artigas Vaello, 7, is in her happy place swinging at the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym. “That’s her thing. Swinging is her thing,” said her father, Alex Vaello. Her parents say Nuris has always been a happy child, but when she was around two years old, they noticed she wasn’t meeting some developmental milestones. By age three she was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. Read More Here
BRANDON (FOX 13) – It’s hard to believe less than two years ago 6-year-old Lizzie could barely talk or socialize with others. Lizzie is just one of the dozens of children who go to We Rock the Spectrum in Brandon to play and learn. The full-inclusion, indoor sensory gym welcomes all kids and abilities but specializes in sensory-safe experiences. It’s the perfect place for Lizzie, who has sensory needs and speech delay. “She’s made a lot of progress. She’s talking more and making more eye contact. It’s really neat to see Lizzie come out and learn more with us,” said occupational therapist, Vanessa Fox. Vanessa works alongside We Rock the Spectrum owner Valerie Bailey. Together, they cater to each child’s individual needs. “We are able to help children of all abilities. They can come here with their siblings. They can play and have fun and get out their energy,” Valerie explained to FOX 13. Read More Here
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
