March and April are hands down Good Friend, Inc.'s busiest months. We're right in the thick of our two big annual fundraising events: the ongoing Highlight It Up Blue campaign, which this year involves four stylists and runs through April 23; and our Hoa Aloha Autism Awareness Bowling Event, coming up on this Sunday, April […]
World Autism Awareness Day is just over four weeks away. How are you preparing? In my house, I'll start bringing out my exterior blue light bulbs and hanging the Autism Awareness ribbon garden flag in a couple of weeks. I'll get my Highlight It Up Blue hair extensions and wear my button on my jacket. […]
Like many other states, Wisconsin has had a tough winter. In fact, it interfered with preparation for a recent student service at an elementary school. Generally, we send a presentation kit to the host school ahead of our visit so staff and students can prepare to receive Good Friend's Awareness-Acceptance-Empathy® message. Part of the kit […]
When you're a "neurotypical" person orbiting the autism universe, you have to keep some things in mind: You are more alike than different. Don't force your way in to their atmosphere. Time your entry well. Be respectful of their planet. (You sure do expect them to be of yours!) There's nothing to fear here, but […]
Whether it's as an employee or a parent, do you ever wonder, "Am I really making an impact? Is the effort I'm giving returning anything?" I know when my children were younger and I was home with them, some of those days seemed awfully long. I'd change my shirt for the third time that day […]
Before we even heard the song, we couldn't wait to share it. And while we finally got that chance last Thursday, most people don't know that presentation was the culmination of two years of collaboration. Good Friend, Inc. co-founder Denise Schamens met Greg Marshall of The Figureheads "by chance" at an area promotion. That conversation […]
In 10 days, on Thursday, January 9, 2014, at 10 a.m., some 500 teachers, students, administrators, community stakeholders, and cast members will gather at Cushing Elementary in Delafield, Wis., to see the "We ALL Fit" music video by The Figureheads for the first time. Following the world premiere event, the video will be available on […]
My son with autism is nearly 15 years old. When things start buzzing around Christmastime, he has a guarded enthusiasm. He loves to bring out the movies of the season, but isn't so excited about how much changes around the house. So it was especially beautiful when he stopped on Saturday morning and noticed ornaments […]
A little over a year ago, I was a guest blogger for Crisis Prevention Institute. Click here to check it out, and share with those who will be around your loved one with autism this month. Here's to happy holidays!