Courtesy of Kara Magistri
Kara Magistri and her family
Before Kara Magistri’s son Jonas was diagnosed with autism in September 2022, she and her family had been spending a lot of time at We Rock the Spectrum. Magistri says they weren’t sure what was going on with their son, but that “we knew he was struggling,” and the kids’ gym was a helpful community for them during that period. So, when Magistri realized the gym was for sale, she and her husband jumped at the opportunity. “We decided we had to continue the legacy of the gym," she says. "The community needed it.” The mother of three bought the Fenton location of We Rock the Spectrum (2075 Bentley Plaza) with her husband in January 2023, but the gym has been a staple of the Fenton community since 2015.
We Rock the Spectrum provides sensory play and socializing for children with autism, and welcomes all children for play and activities. It offers a range of services like open play (either on a drop-in or membership package basis); care services for children with special needs; a wide range of classes, camps, and field trips; and even birthday parties.
The children’s gym was founded in California in 2010 to provide affordable movement opportunities for children with autism. The gym was a more accessible option for some parents than expensive occupational therapy. Magistri’s Fenton location is one of more than 100 locations in the U.S., she says.
Magistri’s son’s autism diagnosis inspired the decision to buy We Rock the Spectrum, but the gym provides recreation for all children. “All kids can come,” says Magistri, who also has a 2-year-old and a 9-month-old. “It’s not just for children with autism.” She estimates that 60–70 percent of the children who visit their gym are neurotypical, and the rest have a diagnosis of some kind.
In addition to open play, the gym has an arts and crafts section where kids can get creative and hands-on. Magistri says it’s a place of community “where everyone can come together.” The interaction between different types of children is beneficial for everyone, too, she says. “A kid with autism running around and playing with a neurotypical child gives everyone healthy interaction,” she adds.
Today, Magistri’s son is flourishing. “His speech is taking off. He was treated for autism-related anxiety. He’s just thriving," she says. Magistri says that making new friends at We Rock the Spectrum helps her son to grow his social skills. As for parents who are in her shoes and have newly received their child’s autism diagnosis, Magistri offers this advice: “Your community is out there. Help is out there. I know when my son was diagnosed, I felt hopeless and alone. We were in crisis mode. But your community is out there, and your kid is perfect just the way they are.”
