Good Friend

Good Friend academy: online resource platform that was launched to the public in early 2023. Good Friend academy includes three courses for educators - one for those working with 5-8 year olds, one for 8-11 year olds, and one for 11-14 year olds. Each have all the multimedia tools educators need to provide autism awareness, acceptance, and empathy training to k-8th grade students. This enables any educator anywhere (with internet access) to help students be more inclusive of their peers with brain-based differences. Good Friend academy reached 293 students in 2023.

General assemblies: Good Friend, Inc. presents autism awareness, acceptance, empathy education to children in grades k-8th grade. Our developmentally specific general assemblies feature one of two original films, we all fit or choosing to be a Good Friend, and incorporate empathy building activities and discussion to solidify learning. Our interventions are intended for the neuromajority peers of those on the autism spectrum using accurate language about autism, focusing on strengths, and celebrating differences. Good Friend's general assemblies lay the groundwork for cultures of inclusion where all students can thrive. Good Friend's general assemblies reached 4,727 students in 2023.

Sibshops: Good Friend, inc.'s sibshops engage participants who have siblings with brain-based disabilities, such as autism. Youth ages 8-12 and teens ages 13-17 participate in team building exercises, arts and crafts, and group discussion activities to facilitate bonding. The program creates a safe space where kids may share the unique experiences as a sibling to someone with special needs. We are fortunate to have 3 first generation facilitators planning and coordinating the program. Participants return year after year proving that their interaction with peers in similar situations is valued and not replicated by other social experiences or programs. Sibshops run from september to may, serving 15 siblings.