Washtenaw Lifespan Disability Families Information

06/06/2025

Please join Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Senators Sue Shink and Jeff Irwin, and State Representatives Carrie Rheingans, Jennifer Conlin, Jason Morgan, Morgan Foreman, and Jimmie Wilson Jr. at a Washtenaw Community Town Hall on Monday, June 16th. The town hall will start at 6 pm and end at 7:3...

05/14/2025

Reminder - TODAY all day at Aubree's in Dexter.

Join us at Aubree's in Dexter on May 14th and dine for a cause! Present this flyer (see attached image) and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Sam Bunsis Path of Joy, a beautiful 2-mile walking path open to everyone. Your meal will help with the care and maintenance of this wonderful community resource. Offer valid for dine-in, delivery, and carryout (just mention Many Hands when ordering). Learn more at www.ManyHandsLC.org

04/15/2025

There’s a big need in Washtenaw County that the planners of the Many Hands Lifesharing Community hope to help address with their development. They estimate around 7,000 people in the county have Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) with at least 1,000 of them being of adult age wit...

12/06/2024

For ages 14 and up

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On Friday, February 7, 2025, Night to Shine will celebrate its eleventh anniversary as thousands from around the world will come together to honor those with disabilit...

11/25/2024

The Dani Plan is a tool designed to keep track of important information about your loved one with special needs. It is easy to use and safe and secure.

11/24/2024

We are excited to announce that we are starting a PEERS for Young Adults group! This group aims to bring evidence-based social skills treatment to young adults in the community.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining this program, please email info@arborautismcenters.com or call our clinic at 734-544-5561.

09/23/2024

Just a reminder there are two events that might be of interest this week, unfortunately they are both at 7 pm on Wednesday 9/25/24, but one is on Zoom so perhaps you can sneak in both, LOL.

1) ICW Open information meeting at the WISD Teaching & Learning Center, 1819 S. Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor 48103. ICW = Intentional Communities of Washtenaw

Learn about Intentional Communities of Washtenaw
Please join us for an in-depth look at ICW including: the history, the parent perspective, and the future of ICW. ICW family members will be available for Q&A.

2) Zoom meeting for parents / families interested in a new U of M primary care practice designed specifically for patients with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities), MI-CARE. Dr. Brianna Marzolf is the physician doing this. A couple of folks in the group have mentioned going already, and there is a link for an interest survey (below) and then also this Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 pm. Here is the info:

Dr. Brianna Marzolf is working hard to make the new MI-CARE Specialty Clinic in Dexter a full time clinic for IDD patients.

Here is a short survey to find out what services Michigan Families need in a Specialty/Primary care IDD Clinic. The link is below, please feel free to share it with anybody who has an interest in MI-CARE (new IDD clinic through UM).
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PF5M8DD

We are also planning a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 25 at 7 pm, so Dr. Marzolf can share updates on the clinic with patients and families. I have also included the link for that meeting below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81543395766?pwd=vXnHN3v6c4Xbzbi4wjGr5XJxAawnbV.1

I appreciate your interest and support in MI-CARE. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions.
Mary Sparkes (Merriman) mmsparkey@comcast.net

Barb

09/07/2024

08/14/2024

BACK TO SCHOOL SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP FOR TEENS WITH AUTISM LEVEL 1
PEERS®
Program for the Enrichment and Education of Relational Skills
Social Skills Group Treatment for Adolescents with Autism Basic Information:
• PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills intervention for teens, who are interested in learning how to make and maintain friends.
• Teens are taught social skills through didactic lessons/role-play demonstrations and practice these skills during group socialization activities as well as within weekly socializing exercises.
• Parents attend separate, concurrent sessions. Parent participation is required.
Participant Criteria:
• Adolescents aged 12-16
• Participants must be somewhat motivated to participate in PEERS®
• Participants typically have an Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder/ “Asperger’s” diagnosis/ “High functioning” Autism; and/or other social impairments
• Participants typically present with cognitive and verbal skills that are generally age appropriate
Location:
• PEERS® will be provided in Ann Arbor, MI.
Day & Time:
• PEERS® will start in September 2024
• PEERS® will run consecutively for 90 minutes, 1x per week for 14 weeks • PEERS® will be on Thursdays 7-8:30 pm
Pricing:
• Initial 50-minute intake screening ($225)
• 14-week PEERS® group including parent and teen co-occurring sessions ($125 per week) • Private pay; Superbills are offered
If interested, please contact:
Kirsten Willar, Ph.D.
Clinical Director of the Alyvia Autism Center LLC kirstenwillarphd@gmail.com
(734) 707-8256

07/31/2024

ACA Members - Mark your calendars for our fall education series!

06/22/2024

This looks like a fun program for teens (age group 11-18), expecially if you don't have other summer activities. The sessions are actually 1-4 pm and you can sign up by the day, I think it's starting on July 1, $40 for a 3 hour session.

Introducing our new program with Work & Play: The Friendship and Fun Club! Designed to foster social skills, emotional regulation, and positive peer relationships in a safe environment. Join us for a blend of learning and fun! Ages 11-18 or cognitively appropriate. Check out the link below to see sign up information!

Jun 19, 2024, 9:00 AM – Aug 17, 2024, 5:00 PM
Work and Play Center, 444 North Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA

https://www.workandplaycenter.org/event-details-registration/friendship-and-fun-club-evening-session-ages-11-18