For the owners of Woodbury’s new We Rock the Spectrum open play gym geared toward children on the autism spectrum, starting the business was not just an act of love for their children, but one that filled a surprising void in Minnesota.
While living in Georgia just a few years ago, Josephine and Oliver Martinez were struggling to find supportive resources for their six sons ranging in age from 16 to 3 years, including two sets of twins, all of whom are on the autism spectrum. At a support group retreat in Wisconsin Josephine asked some friends where a better place to live might be. “They said, ‘Wisconsin is great, but Minnesota is better,’” she said. After doing their own research, the family decided to make the move, landing in Woodbury in July 2023.
Why Woodbury? Turns out, Josephine’s nationwide support group has its roots in Woodbury and is based on the work of Woodbury blogger and author Kate Swenson, of “Finding Cooper’s Voice,” a blog about her once nonverbal son. “Kate’s journey sparked everything for me,” she said. So what better place than Woodbury?
Shortly after they arrived, Josephine was looking for a job that would give her more time to spend with her sons. “My husband said, ‘Why not start a We Rock here?’ It was something we had a good experience with in Georgia. I said, ‘You mean there’s not one here?’ I couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘No, there’s not!’
We Rock the Spectrum Kids’ Gyms (WRTS) are designed to help children with their strength, movement, sensory processing, positive behavior modification, social interactions and self-care skills. The gym features 12 pieces of therapeutic equipment specifically designed to work with many of the sensory processing issues that children on the spectrum face, while providing all children with the sensory experiences necessary for development. For example, the zip slider helps children with balance and spatial orientation, while allowing them to better develop upper-arm and core strength. A trampoline builds lower body strength and balance.
Other pieces of equipment include monkey bars, crash pit, bolster swing, tunnel, carpet swing, hammock swing, climbing mountain, rope bridge and more. There are also specific areas devoted to arts and crafts, imaginative play (costumes, etc.), quiet reading and sensory calming.
Minnesota’s only We Rock franchise is located at 2101 Wooddale Drive, Suite E. near Carver Lake and the Lake Road exit off 494. The gym offers open play time daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the colder months and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the summer. The cost is $18.99 per child for up to three hours, with discounts for siblings. All day passes and other packages and memberships are available. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during open play.
The gym can also be booked for birthday parties or private playdates for two-hour blocks where staff is available to help supervise. While Josephine is the primary staff person right now, she hopes to hire some help soon.
There is no age limit for children with special needs. For neuro-typical children, the age limit is 12. While talking with a reporter, Josephine received a call from a mother of a special needs child, asking whether it was OK to bring her 18-year-old to an upcoming Teen Night. “By all means, he’s more than welcome,” Josephine reassured her, “and most of our equipment is rated to 300 pounds.”
Creating a place where children of all ages with special needs are not only accepted wholeheartedly, but where they can thrive, was critically important for the Martinezes. “We found that the older special needs kids get, the less accepting people are,” Josephine said. “We really want this to be a place where you never have to say, ‘I’m sorry.’”
“We’ve found a lot of support here (in Minnesota).”
After a well-attended grand opening on December 7 the Martinez family is promising to continue to rock and support the community.
