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 […]
If you're a long-time reader of this blog, you know that much of what we (Good Friend, Inc. co-founders Chelsea Budde and Denise Schamens) write about comes from personal experience. Whether it's something we've encountered while "in the field" or in our own homes, raising children with differently-wired brains, it's often illustrative of a greater […]
My family and I are on vacation. We are visiting theme parks and family, splitting up when we need to for the well-being of our kiddos on the spectrum. My 15-year-old son in particular has a number of "rules" he's self-imposed to protect against sensory assaults and general violations. One is that he cannot get […]
A couple weeks ago, I was with my 12-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son at a public park pool in our community. It's generally a great place to connect with friends from school. But not all children are friendly -- or at least they say some pretty unfriendly things. One group of 14ish-year-olds made my son […]
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, […]
Following a recent Good Friend Peer Sensitivity Workshop, an observer remarked how she had seen similar presentations about autism, but the presenter never actually used the word "autism". I thought that was much like talking about reproduction without mentioning the sex organs: not very helpful, and one leaves with more questions than useful information. I […]
We at Good Friend, Inc., could not be more excited about the premiere of our latest autism peer sensitivity film, "We ALL Fit"! Never has one of our products been the culmination of so much research, collaboration, and experience. With careful consideration of the learning styles of intermediate childhood (ages 6-10), we put together a […]
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 […]