Among Friends

02/17/2026

People with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) have always had diverse s*xual orientations and gender identities - even when society chose not to see them.
Too often, assumptions of as*xuality or cisgender identity erase lived experiences, limit self-expression, and harm emotional well-being. Research is clear: LGBTQ+ people with IDD deserve affirmation, education, and safe spaces to explore who they are.
True inclusion means:
✨ Training caregivers and professionals
✨ Inclusive s*xuality & gender education
✨ Accessible LGBTQ+ community spaces
✨ Listening, respecting, and affirming identity
✨ Supporting gender self-determination
Supporting s*xual orientation and gender identity in people with IDD isn’t optional - it’s about dignity, mental health, and human rights.

02/12/2026

For Black History Month, we honor Lois Curtis - an artist, advocate, and civil rights trailblazer.

In 1999, Lois Curtis was a plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court case that affirmed people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible. Her case helped establish that unnecessary institutionalization is a form of discrimination under the ADA.

Lois Curtis’ legacy lives on in every fight for disability justice, community living, and self-determination.

02/11/2026

Raising good humans is hard enough—add s*x ed to the mix and sometimes all you can do is laugh and keep going. 😂

02/05/2026

We all have moments when emotions feel big and our nervous system needs support.
Some of us pace, breathe, fidget, hum, ground through touch, or focus on what’s around us.
Those tools aren’t weaknesses - they’re regulation.
Grounding looks different for different brains and bodies, and that diversity matters. When we make space for multiple ways to self-regulate, everyone benefits.
✨ What helps you regulate your emotions when things feel overwhelming?
Let’s normalize it. 👇

02/03/2026

Speech isn’t the only way to communicate 💬 Speech isn’t the only way to communicate — and it’s not the most important one.
Non-verbal and non-speaking people communicate through AAC, signs, gestures, images, and more. When we slow down, offer multiple ways to communicate, and center lived experience, we create spaces where everyone can participate and be heard.
✨ Inclusion means designing for communication diversity from the start — not as an afterthought.
👉 What’s one way you can make your space more communication-accessible today?
Read more at the link in bio.

01/30/2026

Real change starts before the problem ever begins. In supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, proactive behavior supports focus on understanding why behaviors happen and teaching meaningful, respectful ways to express needs. While reactive strategies may help keep people safe in the moment, it’s thoughtful planning and prevention that pave the path toward dignity, independence, and lasting growth.

When it comes to behavior support - whether at work, in relationships, or in caregiving - do you think being proactive leads to better outcomes than being reactive? Why?
Let us know your thoughts!

09/29/2025

Too often, people with IDD are overlooked when it comes to conversations about s*xual orientation and gender identity. The most recent Among Friends blog post challenges those assumptions and offers practical ways to create affirming, inclusive spaces where every person can be fully seen and supported.

Highlights include:
🩷Breaking down myths and stigma
🧡 Steps caregivers and professionals can take to affirm identity
🩷 Why honoring identity is central to dignity, health, and belonging

💬 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s one thing YOU do (or would like to do) to help create safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals with IDD? Share in the comments below!

People with IDD have often been assumed to be as*xual, heteros*xual, or cisgender—assumptions that erase their identities, needs, and humanity ( LGBTQ+ People | Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect , The Arc ).

09/26/2025

Caring for others starts with caring for yourself!

Families, caregivers, and direct support professionals give so much of themselves every day. But here’s the truth we often forget: you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Taking time to rest, recharge, and practice self-care isn’t selfish — it’s essential. When caregivers invest in their own well-being, everyone benefits:
✨ Stress levels go down
✨ Relationships feel stronger
✨ The people we support receive more patience, presence, and energy

🌱 Self-care doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Sometimes it’s as simple as:
🩷 Stepping outside for fresh air
🧡 Saying “no” when your plate is full
🩷 Listening to a favorite song
🧡 Asking for help when you need it

💬 We’d love to hear from our community:
What’s one small act of self-care that helps you feel more grounded?

Your answer might inspire another caregiver today.

09/24/2025

Among Friends is accepting new individuals and families for support for our Washington Postive Support Services!

At Among Friends, we believe every person has the right to safe, healthy, and meaningful relationships. Our Positive Support Services go beyond daily life skills — we help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities navigate the areas that matter most for dignity and belonging:

✨ Healthy Relationships — building trust, respect, and safe boundaries in friendships, dating, and partnerships
✨ Sexuality & Identity — exploring orientation, gender, and expression in ways that are affirming and empowering
✨ Online Safety — learning how to stay safe while connecting online, avoiding risky behaviors, and practicing consent in digital spaces 

We specialize in supporting the whole person through Positive Supports:
🩷 Life Skills service:
individualized advocacy and skills development

🧡 Staff & Family Consultation service:
equipping teams with tools to foster dignity and independence and guide safe, legal, and appropriate behaviors

🩷 Stabilization services:
Life Skills and Staff & Family Consultation services for individuals that are experencing increasing behavioral support needs.

🧡 Specialized Evaluation & Consulation services:
Services for individuals on the community protection waiver to support their safe, legal, and healthy involvement in their communities.

🩷🧡🩷 Private Pay & Other Services:
Reach out to us and we discuss available options!

If you or someone you support could benefit from this kind of supports, we’d love to connect. Together, we can build safer, healthier communities where everyone’s rights are protected.

To begin the process for services, complete the intake form: https://forms.gle/TkJB4hKp4GbSCp4WA

Belonging means more than being included — it means being safe, respected, and empowered.

Thank you for contacting Among Friends, LLC regarding Positive Support Services. We specialize in social-s*xual supports for children and adults - everything to do with relationships, s*xuality, consent and boundaries, gender identity, s*xual orientation, bodies, internet safety, etc. We can provide...

09/24/2025

OCD is more than what most people think.

When people hear “OCD,” they often picture someone who cleans a lot or likes things in order. But for many, the hardest part is intrusive thoughts — upsetting, unwanted thoughts that show up out of nowhere and cause deep anxiety.

🧡 At Among Friends, we believe in bringing understanding where there’s often silence. That’s why our latest blog unpacks:
✨ What intrusive thoughts really are
✨ Why they can feel so overwhelming
✨ How friends, families, and caregivers can support someone without judgment

💭 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s one thing someone has done (big or small) that made you feel supported when you were struggling?

Your answers might give someone else the courage or ideas they need to show up for a loved one.

🩷 Read the full blog! Let’s break the stigma together!

When most people hear “OCD,” they picture color-coded closets or constant hand-washing. But Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is much more than a need for cleanliness or order—it’s a serious mental health condition that can involve deeply distressing, unwanted thoughts.

09/19/2025

💜 September is Self-Care Awareness Month! A reminder that caring for ourselves is not selfish, it’s essential.

At Among Friends, we believe that self-care and healthy relationships go hand in hand. When individuals, families, and staff have the tools to regulate, rest, and recharge, individual’s opportunities for meaningful connections and relationships increase!

Whether it’s practicing coping strategies, setting healthy boundaries, or simply taking a moment to breathe - self-care is the foundation that allows us to show up for one another with compassion and strength.

This month, let’s commit to caring for ourselves so we can better care for each other.

09/05/2025

Among Friends stands with LGBTQ+ youth this Su***de Prevention Awareness Month and always! 🌈
You deserve to stay, be heard, be valued, to thrive, and to belong. 🩷🧡💜
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

1-866-488-7386 🧡