Full Spectrum Agency Friends and Family Group

Join us for a discussion group designed for allies of autistic adults to deepen their understanding of autism through authentic lived experiences. Our ally group offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from autistic adults.

This event is open to anyone who is neurodiversity-affirming or willing to learn how to become neurodiversity-affirming.

We encourage our autistic self-advocates to attend and help us educate our Full Spectrum community on what it means to be a neurodiversity affirming ally of the autistic community.

We invite allistic (non-autistic) community members to come learn about autistic culture and communication, and how to be an ally to our community.

Our intention is for all attendees, autistic or allistic, to gain a better understanding of how to foster an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates neurodiversity and accepts autism as a different way of being.

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive and understanding world for autistic people!

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.

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. Drive to the far north side of park complex, following signs for the beach. There is plenty of parking. The main building has running water restroom, concession, information and first aid.

We will be in Independence Woods pavilion. From the parking lot, you will walk past the main beach building. The pavilion is near the volleyball courts and the fishing pier.

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 has a running water wash off station. Be sure to bring your swimsuit and towel!

There are paths on either end of the picnic areas leading to short trails for nature hiking. Outhouses near the picnic areas are typically clean, but smelly. They have hand sanitizer available, but no paper towels.

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 will be bringing. I will bring paper towels, napkins, plates, plastic cups and silverware. If you might be willing to help grill or lead a game, please also note that in the chat.

For the food and supplies, it will be best to know ahead of time what everyone is brining, but if you want to decide about games when you get to the park, that is fine.

Pease be mindful that our events are always autistic friendly spaces that follow autistic cultural norms, so all allies are expected to act in neurotypical affirming ways. Our members understand that allies are still learning and don't expect you to be an expert on autistic allyship. If you are uncertain about something, it's okay to ask someone. Most of our members will be happy to coach you.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll see you July 12!

Join us for a discussion group designed for allies of autistic adults to deepen their understanding of autism through authentic lived experiences. Our ally group offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from autistic adults.

This event is open to anyone who is neurodiversity-affirming or willing to learn how to become neurodiversity-affirming.

We encourage our autistic self-advocates to attend and help us educate our Full Spectrum community on what it means to be a neurodiversity affirming ally of the autistic community.

We invite allistic (non-autistic) community members to come learn about autistic culture and communication, and how to be an ally to our community.

Our intention is for all attendees, autistic or allistic, to gain a better understanding of how to foster an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates neurodiversity and accepts autism as a different way of being.

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive and understanding world for autistic people!

Join us for a discussion group designed for allies of autistic adults to deepen their understanding of autism through authentic lived experiences. Our ally group offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from autistic adults.

This event is open to anyone who is neurodiversity-affirming or willing to learn how to become neurodiversity-affirming.

We encourage our autistic self-advocates to attend and help us educate our Full Spectrum community on what it means to be a neurodiversity affirming ally of the autistic community.

We invite allistic (non-autistic) community members to come learn about autistic culture and communication, and how to be an ally to our community.

Our intention is for all attendees, autistic or allistic, to gain a better understanding of how to foster an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates neurodiversity and accepts autism as a different way of being.

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive and understanding world for autistic people!