Spectrum & Development Community Center

A Community Collaborative Project of the Lewis County Autism Coalition (LCAC)
Coming Summer 2025; A Place Where All Belong

The Lewis County Autism Coalition is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the Spectrum & Development Community Center, our long-dreamed-of home, built with purpose and designed for connection, support, and empowerment.
Located in Napavine, Washington, this innovative space will serve autistic, neurodiverse, and developmentally disabled children, teens, adults, and their families throughout rural Lewis County.

A Shared Vision Realized
The Center began as a shared dream between LCAC Executive Director Michelle Whitlow, M.S., and Chanel Patana, PNP, of Lewis County Pediatrics & Family Medicine, both passionate about improving health equity in rural communities. With extraordinary support from Dr. Real McGraw of Napavine Family Chiropractic, who offered land and construction of the facility, that vision is becoming reality.
Dr. McGraw’s belief in our mission, "Tell me what you need", ignited this community-driven project. The new facility will house both Lewis County Pediatrics & Family Medicine and the Spectrum & Development Community Center, creating a seamless pathway from diagnosis to connection.

What to Expect at the Center
The Spectrum & Development Community Center will offer coordinated, family-centered services and inclusive programming. Here’s a preview of what’s coming:
🧩 Therapy Rooms for Rent
Licensed providers (speech, occupational, behavioral, supported employment, etc.) will offer onsite services. Space is already filling, interested providers, please contact us at info@lcautism.org.
💼 Supported Employment Services
We’re building programs to help autistic and developmentally disabled individuals find and maintain meaningful work, promoting purpose, independence, and dignity.
📋 Billing & Medicaid Services (In Progress)
We're pursuing state certification and an NPI to provide Medicaid-billable services, including care navigation, family support, and short-term respite.
🎨 Tech & Art Empowerment Hub (In Development)
This hub will combine access to assistive tech, digital literacy coaching, and a creative arts corner—supporting self-expression and potential microenterprise ventures.
🤝 Peer-Led Family Navigation
Trained peers and care navigators will support families after diagnosis, offering bilingual guidance (English and Spanish) and reducing feelings of isolation.
🏠 Inclusive Program & Gathering Space
A flexible, sensory-friendly space for social groups, education, recreation, community events, and (in time) rentals for birthdays and gatherings.
🧑‍🏫 Peer Ambassador School Program

Launching Fall 2025, this initiative will train elementary school student leaders to promote disability inclusion, with plans to expand and eventually offer college scholarships.

Why It Matters
For years, families have faced long drives, long waitlists, and fragmented services. We’re changing that. Soon, a parent receiving a diagnosis at Lewis County Pediatrics can simply walk next door to the Spectrum & Development Community Center—where they’ll find acceptance, understanding, and the support they need.
This is more than a building. It's a beacon of inclusion, equity, and hope.
Help Us Build It — Together

Your support makes this possible. Whether it’s $10 or $10,000, every gift brings us closer to opening our doors.

Your donation helps:

• Equip and finish the center

• Fund peer support, navigation, and programming

• Keep services accessible to all families, regardless of income

🔹 Donate today
🔹 Email us at info@lcautism.org to learn how to get involved

Because having your needs met shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code.
With heartfelt thanks to Dr. Real McGraw for his generosity, and to all those who have and will contribute,
we see you, we thank you, and we can’t wait to welcome you in.




*LCAC is registered with the Secretary of State's Charities Program. Please visit https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities for more information.