New indoor gym in Middlesex County offers play space for kids with autism, disabilities
The grand opening, open to children of all abilities, will be accompanied by a celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at gym, 1642 Stelton Road, Suite 403. Children will be able to play with all the specialized equipment, including the trampoline, swings and the zip slider.
Victoria Rodriguez, who owns this location, explained the facility offers a wide range of activities for kids up to age 12, as well as areas for old children and adults.
"We are the only franchise that provides basically a safe and all-inclusive environment for kids of all abilities,' Rodriguez said. 'We are unique in a way that basically the sensory equipment that is in our gym basically provides the ability for children to play with purpose. So, we have 12 pieces of specialized equipment. Each one of the pieces of equipment kind of regulates children in a different way."
More: How this young man with autism is turning negative experiences into teachable moments
The gym, said Rodriguez, who has a child on the spectrum, is "something pretty near and dear to my heart."
And, thus, Rodriguez's journey of opening a location began.
"I was looking for a place for my children to play. I have a neurotypical and a neurodiverse child so I was looking for an all-inclusive environment that could be suitable for both my children. And that's kind of how I ended up looking at the page of We Rock the Spectrum franchise and started the journey to open up my own location," said the Dunellen resident. Her son, Zachary, has Autism, or is neurodiverse; and her son, Isaiah, is neurotypical.
More: A new Central Jersey culinary program is helping people with disabilities find jobs
This will be the sixth New Jersey location for We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym with others in Audubon, Paramus, Tinton Falls, Mount Laurel and Waretown.
The Piscataway open play schedule is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, with Toddler Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Admission for the March 15, event is $20 per child, with treats and refreshments sponsored by the My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation. For further price and membership information, visit the Piscataway location's website at werockthespectrumpiscataway.com.
For further details about the We Rock the Spectrum franchise, its specialized equipment, and the various services it offers, visit its corporate website at www.wrtsfranchise.com.
Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: New sensory-friendly indoor gym for kids in Piscataway NJ opening soon
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