FENTON, Mo. – A first of its kind gym for Missouri is opening in Fenton.
We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor, sensory-safe gym for all kids but specially designed for those on the autism spectrum.
Tom and Cynthia Tipton, owners of We Rock the Spectrum, say their son is the inspiration behind bringing the gym franchise to Fenton. The gym's slogan is “Finally a place where you never have to say I’m sorry.”
“We'd go to the swimming pools, and we'd always have to say sorry for our son’s behavior. Here, this is a place where we accept everyone,” Cynthia said.
The franchise is known for their specially designed pieces of sensory-safe equipment that “foster learning, exploration, and neurological growth.” The occupational therapy equipment provides sensory-safe play for kids with autism and special needs. Kids can climb, move back and forth, jump up and down, or go round and round.
“So, those kids who are on the autism spectrum or who have sensory processing disorder, who need that daily sensory diet, they are able to come to a gym like this and get their sensory need fulfilled,” Cynthia said.
“Take for example this swing,” She continued. "It moves in a lot of directions but also provides a hug, a lot of kids on spectrum with sensory needs need high deep pressure, to feel comfortable kind of in their own body."
We Rock the Spectrum, located at 2075 Bentley Plaza Drive, is a franchise with 50 other gyms across the country. Two more locations are planned to open in the St. Louis area within the next few years.
“My son Gabriel was diagnosed in 2009 with autism. Our life as we knew it changed forever. The places we took him to, we were kicked out of most. Because his behaviors were so severe and he needed the sensory equipment, but he needed it every day,” Dina Kimmel, CEO and Founder of We Rock the Spectrum, said.
The grand opening for the Fenton location was February 13, 2016. Admission was $12 per child and 20 percent of the proceeds went to My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation.
For more information visit We Rock the Spectrum’s website, or like their Facebook page.
