Since the average enrollment of an American public school exceeds 500 students (EducationWeek, 2019), by the numbers associated with autism prevalence (CDC, 2021), an administrator can be statistically assured that the school’s count of students on the spectrum will be in the double digits. It is likely that the least restrictive environment for those autistic […]
It's the last week of school in our district, and my own children have been through tremendous transitions this year. In the hands of less capable educators, this week might have felt very different for us. I have had school years as a mom -- and I'm sure you teachers and students have had them, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It's a busy month in the Good Friend calendar: Autism Awareness Month. We caregivers are all bustling about with blue in our 'dos and shining our lights and wearing our puzzle piece pins. And as my own children with ASD get older (they're now 14 and 11), they're taking more notice of all the buzz. […]
Since March 2 is a celebrated day in American literature, I thought I'd take this week's blog and make it an homage of sorts to the late great Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). His books have been favorites on children's lists for generations, and many a memorable quote are immortalized. One of my personal favorites […]
Good Friend co-founder Denise Schamens writes today's blog ... Having three children was something I wanted after my two boys were born. I hoped that my girl would come with our last attempt. We were excited to find out at five months that a daughter was on the way! Little did I realize, people were […]
I am an unashamed Goodwill shopper. In fact, for Easter, my daughter and I wore beautiful things I had found at Goodwill somewhere along the line. And I just love it when you make your purchases and when you drop off donations, an employee says to you, "Thank you for supporting the mission." I don't […]