Families in Napa now have access to a new fitness program designed specifically for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. The program, called Kidisthenics, was started in San Diego in 2018 by behavioral specialist Arlene Lopez Martinez, who has over 20 years of experience in the field. The program has since grown to several cities, and Napa is its newest location.
Kidisthenics combines exercise with therapeutic movement to help individuals build confidence and independence. While the name sounds child-centered, the program is open to people of all ages with developmental needs, including those with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
How the Program Works
Instead of presenting daily challenges as tasks, Kidisthenics presents them as playful exercises or fun group activities.
For example, sessions may include sports games, group fitness, or even outings to places like amusement parks. Most activities take place outdoors in local Napa parks, since Kidisthenics does not currently have a permanent indoor facility in the city. This mirrors how the program operates in San Diego and Sacramento.
“Instead of seeing a task as an obstacle, the brain begins to see it as exercise,” explained co-owner and chief operating officer Ryan Bigelow. “That shift helps participants feel less forced and rather more willing to engage.”
Building Confidence and Community
Apart from fitness, Kidisthenics focuses on building self-esteem and fostering belonging. Parents often notice that their children come away from sessions feeling encouraged and more connected, both to their families and their wider community.
Bigelow said the decision to expand into Napa came from seeing a need for more services for people with developmental disabilities in the area. The Napa program will begin with about 10 families, with plans to hire more movement specialists as the program grows.
Specialists at Kidisthenics are not medical doctors, nor do they diagnose developmental disabilities. Instead, many are students in related fields like kinesiology (the study of body movement) or special education, trained to guide exercise in ways that meet individual sensory and developmental needs.
Accessing the Program
To begin, families fill out an intake form outlining their child’s abilities, sensory needs, and goals. The regional center then coordinates services, and a movement specialist begins working with the family, usually within two months.
The cost is $90 per hour for children 12 and under, and $105 per hour for participants aged 13 and older. Many families can access the program at little or no out-of-pocket cost, since expenses are often covered through regional centers or Medicaid.
Kidisthenics plans to fully launch in Napa by November, with sessions taking place at public parks around the city.
Support Closer to Home in Sacramento
Programs like this demonstrate the significant benefits that children and adults with autism can gain from thoughtful, tailored support. In fact, each step creates self-confidence and that confidence ripples to touch the entire family. At Sacramento ABA, we share the same commitment to helping families find the resources they need—whether through therapy, guidance, or community support.
When children are understood and encouraged, they not only grow stronger but also discover their own voice. Families deserve that kind of care, and we are here to provide it.
