Tender Touch Therapy

What Tender Touch Therapy does

Tender Touch Therapy LLC is a privately held pediatric therapy and neurodivergent inclusion operator founded in 1999 by Linda Niemela and headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company delivers Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy services through three state-accredited Medical Support Services (MSS) clinics in Southeastern Wisconsin (Kenosha, Oak Creek, Mount Pleasant) following the October 2017 MSS acquisition, which doubled its patient and employee base. Its core service technology consists of play-based therapy delivered in specialized physical environments, including Snoezelen multisensory rooms, adaptive equipment libraries (50+ bicycles including adaptive tricycles), indoor playground structures, and a mock apartment suite for daily-living-skills training.

Beyond clinical services, Tender Touch operates three We Rock the Spectrum inclusive kids' gym franchise locations (Milwaukee opened 2020; Eagan, MN opened January 2025; Woodbury, MN acquired September 2025) that extend sensory-friendly programming to children of all abilities. The company also runs the Tri My Best Triathlon, an annual adaptive swim-bike-run event founded in 2015 in partnership with the Kenosha YMCA that has grown to 100+ athlete participation and is now branded as the largest adaptive kids' triathlon in the U.S.

Revenue is generated through four discrete streams: (1) therapy services billed per session, primarily through insurance; (2) gym membership and class pass revenue via the We Rock the Spectrum and Rockstar Kidz yoga/fitness programs ($75 for 5 classes, $125 for 10 classes); (3) per-participant registration for Tri My Best Training Camps ($10) and the Tri My Best Triathlon ($45-$50); and (4) professional continuing education courses for therapists such as the $250 Torticollis course. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on the Tri My Best Triathlon and other signature events, healthcare-provider referrals, university clinical affiliations, and word-of-mouth within special-needs family networks.

Name

Tender Touch Therapy

Legal name

Tender Touch Therapy LLC

Website

https://tendertouchtherapyllc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tender Touch Therapy is a privately held pediatric therapy operator that runs three Medical Support Services clinics in Wisconsin and three We Rock the Spectrum inclusive kids' gyms in Wisconsin and Minnesota, serving children with developmental disabilities through PT, OT, and Speech therapy, sensory-friendly play, and the annual Tri My Best adaptive triathlon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Physical Therapy & Developmental Rehab (HSADAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

IEP/504 PT Planning, Documentation & Compliance (EDAKAGAB), Home Health Physical Therapy & Mobile PT (HSADAIAO)

Keywords

• Pediatric therapy services
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Sensory integration programs
• Adaptive sports programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Racine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Pediatric Therapy Services: Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy services billed per session or through insurance for children with developmental disabilities
2. Class Passes (Rockstar Kidz): Yoga and fitness boot camp class packages sold in 5-class ($75) and 10-class ($125) increments for children and young adults
3. Training Camps: Tri My Best Training Camps at $10 per participant for race preparation
4. Continuing Education Courses: Professional development courses for therapists such as Torticollis course at $250/person for CEU credits

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tender Touch Therapy is a pediatric therapy and inclusion services provider that delivers Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy through its Medical Support Services (MSS) clinics in Southeastern Wisconsin. The company complements its clinical therapy services with We Rock the Spectrum inclusive sensory-friendly kids' gyms in Wisconsin and Minnesota, adaptive sports programs including the annual Tri My Best Triathlon, the Rockstar Kidz yoga and fitness program, and continuing education courses for therapy professionals. Together these offerings form an integrated ecosystem supporting neurodivergent children, young adults, and their families.

Product overview

Tender Touch Therapy is a service and advocacy agency providing neurodivergent and developmental support, well-being, and inclusion services. The company operates through two primary service lines: (1) Medical Support Services (MSS) therapy clinics offering Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy across three Wisconsin locations, and (2) We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym, an inclusive sensory-friendly gym with three locations. The company also runs the annual Tri My Best Triathlon, an adaptive sports event for children with developmental disabilities, along with training camps and the Rockstar Kidz yoga and fitness program. Educational offerings include continuing education courses for therapy professionals. Together, these offerings create a comprehensive ecosystem supporting neurodiverse children, young adults, and their families through therapy services, inclusive play facilities, community events, and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Support Services (MSS) Therapy Clinics State-accredited therapy clinics providing Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy services for children with developmental disabilities across three locations in Kenosha, Mount Pleasant, and Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Each clinic features state-of-the-art gym spaces and specialized treatment rooms including Snoezelen multisensory environments.
• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym All-inclusive sensory-friendly kids' gym for children of all abilities, featuring uniquely designed sensory equipment to aid children with sensory processing disorders. Operates at multiple locations including Milwaukee, Eagan, and Woodbury, offering open gym play, summer classes, and weekly events.
• Tri My Best Triathlon Annual adaptive swim-bike-run triathlon event for children and young adults (ages 5+) with developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy, using flotation devices, adapted bikes, walkers, and power wheelchairs. Co-hosted with the Kenosha YMCA.
• Rockstar Kidz Class Pass Yoga and fitness boot camp class pass taught by an occupational therapist and a physical therapist, with 45-minute sessions designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, body awareness, focus, and posture for children and young adults. Available in 5-class ($75) and 10-class ($125) packages.
• Practical Assessment and Treatment of Torticollis (Continuing Education Course) A one-day continuing education course for Physical and Occupational Therapists covering current evaluation and treatment of infant torticollis, including problem-solving approaches to develop individualized treatment plans, offering 7.5 WOTA CEUs and 7.5 APTA WI CEUs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12th Annual Tri My Best Triathlon (2026) - largest adaptive triathlon in the nation for children with developmental disabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UlineflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of Tri My Best Triathlon 2026. Uline is a major corporate sponsor enabling the annual adaptive sports event.
• Kenosha YMCAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2022Co-host of Tri My Best Triathlon since 2014. The annual adaptive swim-bike-run event for children with developmental disabilities is held at Kenosha YMCA facility at 7101 53rd Street. This is the largest adaptive triathlon for kids in the nation.
• We Rock the Spectrum (Franchise Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTender Touch owns and operates multiple We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym locations (Milwaukee, Eagan, Woodbury). These are inclusive sensory-friendly gyms for children of all abilities, part of a franchise network with uniquely designed equipment.
• Southeastern Wisconsin Schools and Healthcare ProvidersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations for therapy services and community events.
• University of Wisconsin-ParksideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local universities including UW-Parkside for student observation hours, internships, and clinical affiliations in OT, PT, and SLP programs.
• Tri My Best Triathlon Sponsors (Various)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple corporate sponsors including Platinum (VFW, FPSWI, Culvers, HomeTeams Online), Gold (First American Bank, Pepsi, Kaiser's, Will Enterprises), Silver (Visit Kenosha, Herzig, WE Energies, Riley Construction), Bronze (Domino's Pizza, Heartland Produce, Lerch Bates, Indeed Brewing, Pitts Brothers, Special Fitness), and In-Kind (Wheel & Sprocket, Dragon Tear Pearls) sponsors supporting annual adaptive triathlon events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fraser: Minnesota-based multi-service organization providing pediatric therapy, autism services, and inclusive programs. Highly comparable to Tender Touch as a regional peer operating therapy clinics in the same Upper Midwest geography with overlapping service lines.
• Pediatric Therapy Network: Nonprofit pediatric therapy organization providing PT, OT, and Speech services to children with developmental needs, including gym-based play facilities. Comparable as a direct peer delivering pediatric therapy plus inclusive recreation programming.
• Kids In Motion Pediatric Therapy: Multi-clinic pediatric therapy provider offering PT, OT, and Speech services in dedicated sensory gym environments. Direct competitor in the play-based pediatric therapy clinic model that Tender Touch operates.
• Skills on the Hill: Pediatric OT/PT clinic serving children with sensory processing, autism, and developmental differences in purpose-built gym settings. Direct peer in pediatric outpatient therapy with sensory gym differentiation.
• Gateway Pediatric Therapy: Multi-location pediatric therapy clinic network providing PT, OT, Speech, and ABA services to children with developmental delays. Direct competitor operating clinic-based therapy for neurodivergent children at similar scale.
• Hopebridge: Multi-state pediatric therapy and ABA services provider operating clinic-based programs for children with autism and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a scaled, multi-clinic peer in pediatric developmental services.
• Caravel Autism Health: Large multi-state autism services provider with clinics offering ABA, OT, and Speech therapy for children. Direct peer in clinic-based pediatric neurodevelopmental services, operating at significantly larger scale.
• Mindset Pediatric Therapy: Multi-clinic pediatric therapy provider offering PT, OT, Speech, and ABA to children with developmental disabilities in sensory-rich clinic environments. Direct peer in the play-based pediatric outpatient therapy model.

Emerging players

• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym: National franchise of inclusive sensory-friendly kids' gyms. Tender Touch operates several of its own franchise locations, so this is both an upstream brand partner and a competitive gym operator in markets where other franchisees exist.

Regional players

• Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities: Quad Cities / Iowa-Illinois pediatric therapy clinic providing PT, OT, and Speech services in sensory gym facilities with community programs. Regional peer in the same general Upper Midwest geography with comparable pediatric therapy/sensory gym model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCldKShprckd-a5knE9G75QA
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tender-touch-therapy-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/tendertouchtherapy
• TikToktiktok.com/@medicalsupportservices?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tender Touch Therapy