Health & Fitness
Waukesha Schools HighLight It Up Blue for Autism
Local nonprofit Good Friend is working with area stylists and schools, adding blue hair to raise funds and awareness about autism spectrum disorder, diagnosed in 1 out of 88 students.
It's Autism Awareness Month. As the mother of two children with autism and as the director of a nonprofit dedicated to autism awareness, acceptance, and empathy, this is a BIG deal to me! I'm so glad that the School District of Waukesha recognizes that!
Several Waukesha schools are partnering with Good Friend, Inc., to bring its HighLight It Up Blue campaign to their communities, encouraging staff and students to get a little blue in their 'do to stand out and stand UP for the 1 in 88 people living with this neurobiological disability. They're getting natural blue hair extensions, sparkly hair tinsel, and/or feathers added to their manes -- a temporary sign of a lifelong brain-based difference, sometimes called an "invisible disability".
On Wednesday, Waukesha South students and staff took some time out from their lunch hours to HighLight It Up Blue. Many of the participants had a personal connection to autism. One student got a feather in her hair because she supports Good Friend's mission to start making social connections between students with autism spectrum disorder and their typically-developing peers, herself having ASD. Another (Kelly Ward, pictured) has three cousins with ASD, and is doing this for the second year in a row to support them. To honor one of her students with ASD, educational assistant Laura Davis now has a blue streak. And as a demonstration of administrative support, Assistant Principal Richard Lehman (pictured) had a little temporary dye added to his super-short 'do.
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Other Waukesha schools bringing the HighLight It Up Blue campaign to their campuses include
- Butler, on Monday, April 15, from 8:30-10 a.m.
- Waukesha STEM Academy-Saratoga, on Tuesday, April 16, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Waukesha West, on Wednesday, April 17, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Waukesha North, on Wednesday, April 24, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Meadowbrook, on Friday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Not connected to one of these schools and still want blue in your 'do? No worries. The stylists donating their time, talent, and the campaign proceeds are happy to make an appointment for you. Contact
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Janet D’Amato at Salon Brillaré (Grandview Plaza, Pewaukee), 262-522-2914
- Erin Hitt Bubolz at Merle Norman (Brookfield Square), 262-782-4406
- Gina Andrade of Hair by Gina (Solo Salons, Waukesha), 262-424-2566
Whether people HighLight It Up Blue at a salon or school, fees are $10 for one product or $25 for any combination of three per client. Questions? Contact me, 414-510-0385. Thanks for being willing to stand UP for individuals with ASD!
