Full Spectrum Agency Friends and Family Group

Join us for an in-person community-building event at Willow Integrated Therapy!

This is a continuation of our in-person Willow gatherings we had been doing last year, with a few differences. Michelle Speer is no longer at Willow, so we will see new faces from Willow Integrated Therapy. We are also meeting during open hours, so more of their staff will be there.

Although David will no longer be there to lead D&D, they still have the video games and there will be board game options, as well. Feel free to bring games to invite others to play.

We will continue the optional potluck, so feel free to bring food to share if you can. We are a nut free space, so please do not bring tree nuts into the space, and label food with allergens when possible.

Keep in mind that all our events are Autistic cultural spaces where Autistic social norms are centered. Direct communication, flexible social interaction, stimming, and different ways of connecting (including quiet or parallel time) are all welcomed and respected. It is important for all our members to enjoy the freedom to engage without masking. If you are an Allistic ally who is less familiar with Autistic culture, feel free to ask questions and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

Willow integrated therapy is a clinic that offers both occupational therapy and speech therapy for all ages. We are a sensory supportive environment and practice therapy within a non-medical, neurodiversity affirming and trauma informed lens to best support our clients reach their goals.

Join us for a day of fun in the sun!

We will spend the day at Independence Lake County Park. We will be there from 11am-7pm, so you can join us anytime. Whether you want to stay the whole day for picnicking, games, and/or swimming, or if you just want to come for part of the day, you are welcome. Feel free to bring family and friends.

Driving to the park: US-23 to Exit 50-Six Mile. Follow park signs, west on Six Mile, left on Whitmore Lake, right on Kearney, left on Jennings.

Park Entry: $6 per vehicle parking fee if you are a Washtenaw County resident and $10 for nonresidents. There is a senior discount for people 62+. Drive to the far north side of park complex, following signs for the beach. There is plenty of parking.

I rented Independence Woods pavilion, which we have access to from 8am-8pm, so if anyone wants to come early, let me know. I'll be there around 11am. From the parking lot, you will walk past the main beach building. The pavilion is near the volleyball courts and the fishing pier.

The beach center has a running water restroom, concessions, information, and first aid. Outhouses near the picnic areas are typically clean, but smelly. They have hand sanitizer available, but no paper towels.

There are over 20 grills throughout the immediate beach area so we can definitely grill.

The beach is small but can host large numbers of people and it has a running water wash off station. Be sure to bring your swimsuit and towel!

There are hiking paths on either end of the picnic areas leading to short trails for nature hiking.

There are open fields for games, volleyball nets, playground, and a sand pit. We will have lots of options for activities and we hope someone can bring croquet, horseshoes, corn hole, frisbee, and/or others. Disc golf is $2.

If you are planning to attend, please plan to bring a dish to share and post in the comments below what you plan to bring. That will help us plan and ensure we don't all bring the same thing.
I will bring paper towels, napkins, plates, plastic cups and silverware; but please bring a serving spoon for your dish if needed.

If you might be willing to help grill or lead a game, please also note that in the chat (you are not committing to anything).

This is a peer & ally event, which means there will be Autistic and Allistic group members attending. Our spaces are always Autistic friendly spaces with autistic cultural norms, so all allies are expected to act in neuro affirming ways, but some are still learning how to be good allies to the Autistic community. Please be patient, but politely coach our allies as needed.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll see you July 11!