ABOUT
Get to Know Me
and My Philosophy
​
About Me...
Melinda N. Schlegel, BA, Developmental Expert,
Social/Emotional & Developmental Mentor,
Owner, Friendshops LLC
I want to have a safe and understanding place where Autistic people can be themselves, build friendships, gain social and life skills, and experience peace and happiness! I cannot as a neurotypical individual ever truly fully know how it feels to be Autistic, but I can use empathy and my understanding of the difficulties and gifts of Autism to try to create experiences within which Autistic people can thrive and enjoy their time and the company of one another while benefiting from new opportunities to grow with support and encouragement. I created Friendshops because I want Autistic people to be valued for who they are and not made to feel as though they are somehow failing by not being neurotypical. I want to create experiences where Autistic people can try new things and have friends at their own pace and comfort while we support and encourage one another. I believe that my gift in this world is my empathy and it has brought me to want to create something more for Autistic people.
My Approach…
Empathy, Understanding, Encourgement and Fulfillment
It is because I have seen, cared for, and helped so many wonderful and misunderstood Autistic people as they worked so much harder to overcome challenges in every moment and day of their lives that I want to give Autistic people a safe place where they can go that is filled with empathy, happiness, belonging, pride, and comfort, where we are learning from each other and having fun together, and enabling a more satisfying quality of life!I believe that the most crucial need being unfulfilled in services for Autistic people and their families is having a trusted place where they can truly enjoy going to as often as desired on a daily basis to experience friendships, mentoring and learning in an unstressed, authentic, and supportive way, where their families feel they are understood, loved, and respected! I feel it is only fair to have a place where Autistic people can find happiness, ease, meaningful connections, and success, since their existence has so many overwhelming and isolating difficulties. I want to provide a caring place where Autistic people can learn and find peace and happiness through nature and enjoyable experiences with friends and mentors.