There is a new play gym in Loudoun outfitted with swings, trampolines, a zip line, rope ladders and more. But there is a different atmosphere there than at all the other indoor play places popping up throughout the Metro-D.C. area, making it the first of its kind. We Rock the Spectrum, which opened this February, is a space for all kids, but its focus is on offering a space with special needs kids in mind.
When their son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and ADHD, Anjali and Manish Gutali had their lives changed. Anjali, who held a job in finance and accounting, became a stay-at-home mom to raise her child and started to notice that there was a lack of entertainment offerings for children with special needs.
“I was having a difficult time finding a place for him to go and play, work on his motor skills,” she says. “He doesn’t like anything athletic because it involves that competitive nature, which he shies away from. He just wanted to play some, be active and work on his skills but feel comfortable, and that is a type of place I couldn’t find. It was always in the back of my mind, wishing something like that existed here.”
After reading an article about sensory-safe play space franchise We Rock the Spectrum, Anjali knew what her future would hold. “I contacted corporate and thought: This is perfect. This is exactly what I wanted to do, and the fact that it is a franchise offers me the support I need and the flexibility of structuring the gym and offering programs our local community needs.”
One year later, the Gutalis opened the area’s first We Rock the Spectrum in Loudoun.
All of the equipment in the 5,000-square-foot gym area is designed for kids with special needs but is open to kids of all abilities. There is a toddler area, a main area that has swings, a zip line and a trampoline, plus a fine motor skills area with puzzles, beads and more. There is also an arts and crafts area, party room and a multipurpose room.
“We also have a calming room,” says Anjali. “If a kid gets overstimulated or a little excited and they just need a little break, we have a room that is painted light blue with dim lights. They can go in there sit down, relax, read a book.”
And though the space offers many areas of activities and equipment for play, Anjali is also bringing in classes and programs like yoga, therapy, Zumba for kids and adults, and is looking to add more depending on community feedback.
“We’re starting a social skills group for younger kids and will probably start adding more,” she says. “We’re trying to get an idea from the community of what we should offer. I work with occupational and speech therapists and other specialists to work together on programs and build a networking/resource group.”
Another unique aspect to this space is an upstairs 1,000-square-foot teen room that is geared toward working on social skills.
“My son could tell you what to do and what to say in every situation, but until these kids practice social skills with other kids it’s no use,” Anjali says. “Moms with special-needs kids are always looking for play dates and other kids to hang out, so I thought this would be the perfect place.”
In the teen space, where TVs and screens are not allowed, there is a pingpong table, dart board, sofas, lounge chairs and tables for games, homework and tutoring.
“The whole idea is to work on their social skills,” Anjali adds. “Everything we have up there is designed for them to interact with each other.”
We Rock the Spectrum is not just another drop-off play area, Anjali says. “We really take care of everything. We take care of our clients. We develop relationships with them and they become an extended part of the family.” // 22446 Davis Drive, Suite 127, Sterling;
werockthespectrumloudoun.com
