Hickory gym geared toward children with special needs opens Saturday

HICKORY, N.C. (WBTV) – A new gym in Hickory that’s welcoming all families will open its doors this weekend.

The owners of We Rock the Spectrum, which focuses on the development of children with autism, say this is going to be a lot more than a gym; they hope this will be a resource and a hub for families of children with special needs.

Co-owners Katheryn Grandgenette and Tracey Holton have learned a lot about autism over the years. Now they’re ready to share that knowledge with the community.

Holton has over 25 years of experience teaching kids with special needs. Grandgenette’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was 3.

“When we were first given the diagnoses of autism, we looked at each other like, ‘Okay, now what do we do?’” Grandgenette said.

She added that not knowing what to do next or feeling alone is a side effect a lot of parents feel when they get the diagnosis.

This gym will be the next step for many families.

“This is a kid’s gym for all kids,” Grandgenette said. “We want to make sure that through play and interaction they, my son and everyone else’s child would feel happy and secure and develop.”

The gym specializes in sensory techniques. Looking around the facility - from the colors to the toys to the swings - that touch is everywhere.

“A lot of children with special needs, especially autism, appreciate that swinging motion. It helps to regulate their body and puts them in a sense of calm,” Grandgenette said.

Here it’s all about family, which is why they’ve included a resource center for support groups.

“We’ll be providing brochures and information on how to toilet train, how to find a dentist and a doctor who might specialize in meeting their child’s needs,” Holton said.

It doesn’t end there; the co-owners plan to expand.

“LEGO has been proven to help kids with autism facilitate communication. It’s an actual therapy called ‘LEGO therapy’ and my business partner Tracey is actually trained in that, so we hope to have social interaction groups centered around play,” Grandgenette said.

Most importantly, it’s a safe space for families to play together and learn.

“The motto is ‘Never have to say I’m sorry,’ which is on the back of our shirts,” Grandgenette said. Finally, a place where you never have to say I’m sorry, because people that will come here with their kids will special needs, they will get it.”

The grand opening celebration is Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it’s open to children of all abilities.

We Rock the Spectrum is located at 1061 7th St. CT SE in Hickory.

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