Autism, disability-friendly indoor kids gym in Preston expands to other locations
A popular Preston gym designed for children with disabilities has been attracting hordes of visitors from across Victoria since it opened nine months ago. Now they’re opening five new locations. See where there’s one near you.
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A hit all-abilities play centre attracting visitors from across Victoria will open five new locations by the end of the year.
We Rock the Spectrum is a “sensory-safe” children’s gym designed for kids diagnosed with autism and other disabilities and disorders.
Australian entrepreneur Sally Johnson opened the first WRTS gym in Preston in August after bringing the concept over from the United States.
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She expects to have gyms in Ringwood, Moorabbin and Geelong open in the next six months.
And there will be locations in Wollongong and Western Sydney too.
Ms Johnson said she was inundated with more than 200 applications for franchises soon after they opened.
“(The US team) had never really seen anything like it,” she said.
The Thornbury mum said she knew they would get support from the autism community, but were thrilled at the interest from the broader community as well.
“We get a lot of walk-ins from (non-disabled people.) We have people opening the door saying ‘Are we allowed to come in?’” she said.
And for anyone still unsure, the answer is yes.
Around half their visitors are children without disabilities, and they regularly host playgroups and schools.
“We don’t ask people when they come in ‘What’s your disability?’ People just like the space and support the concept,” Ms Johnson said.
“Mainstream kindergarten groups come in and we talk to the kids about how spaces like this make people feel good and about diversity and inclusion.”
Northern School for Autism principal Pamela Mathieson said the centre was filling a need for students with significant sensory issues who had never had a place to play.
“When they come back they’re happy, engaged and calm as well,” she said.
“Teachers have reported that when they know they’re going, they’re incredibly excited.”
Ms Johnson opened the business with her brother Marcus, and said she was inspired to give people a place they felt comfortable in after her own experience with her son Digby, who was diagnosed with autism aged two.
“Parents look absolutely wrecked when the walk in and then they’re waiting for something to go wrong. To see them relax in here and chat to parents on a similar journey or chatting to parents without children with disabilities, it’s how the world should be,” she said.
The centre is now an NDIS registered provider and offers neurological development programs, party rooms and consultant rooms for occupational therapists and other professionals.
They also offer two-hour respite sessions, including a Saturday evening for parents to have a date night.
“Parents come back in and it’s like they’ve had a week away. Some of them haven’t been out for seven years,” Ms Johnson said.
And more respite is on the way, with plans for even more play centres next year.
“We’re hoping in the next six months we’ll do another round. We have a target of 30 gyms around the country,” Ms Johnson said.
Families visit the centre from all over the state, including Warrnambool, Geelong, Macedon and Croydon.
And franchisee inquiries have come from as far as Perth, Townsville and Katherine.
Ms Johnson said their first choice applicants come from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds but do have some similarities.
“They’re all like minded people with a passion for giving back to the community,” she said.
For more information visit their website.
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