Circle of Friends (disabled care) explained

The Circle of Friends approach is a method designed to increase the socialization and inclusion of a disabled person with their peers. A Circle of Friends consists of a "focus" child, for whom the group was established, six to eight classroom peers, and an adult facilitator who meet once weekly to socialize and work on specific goals. Most available resources about the Circle of Friends approach are geared toward its use with school-aged children with various difficulties.

Background

Circle of Friends was originally developed in North America to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities and other difficulties in their local communities and in mainstream educational settings.[1] In the past, it was more common for adults with disabilities to be confined to institutions, and for students with special educational needs to be educated in separate schools.[2] The Circle of Friends approach coincides with a shift in societal attitudes toward inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream settings. It is intended to promote healthy friendships and to create and reinforce positive social experiences.

Although it was developed in North America, Circle of Friends has been implemented and researched extensively in the United Kingdom in a variety of settings, and with children of varying ages and difficulties.[3] [4] The approach is often used for children with autism spectrum disorders because they have trouble developing social and communication skills.[5] In general, children with emotional, behavioral, and social problems may benefit from the approach because they are often isolated and lack of peer groups.[3] [6] [7] In the UK the approach was promoted as a means of avoiding exclusions as well a practical form of inclusive education by Colin Newton and Derek Wilson of Inclusive Solutions. Their training in the approach was nationally recognised. It was well received in numerous Eastern European countries that valued an approach to inclusion not relied on high-cost resources but on mobilizing the ever-present peer group."

Structure

In the educational setting, general guidelines exist for establishing a Circle of Friends.[5] [6] [8] [9]

Adapted versions of Circle of Friends exist. One version differs from the original approach in that the focus child is not absent for the initial class meeting.[4] Others have described Circle of Friends meetings taking place on a daily basis.[10]

See also

References

Barrett, W. & Randall, L. (2004). Investigating the Circle of Friends approach: Adaptations and Implications for Practice. Educational Psychology in Practice, 20, 353–368.

Newton, C. and Wilson, D. : Creating Circles of Friends, Inclusive Solutions (2010)

External links

Notes and References

  1. The National Autistic Society: Circle of Friends – Promoting inclusion and interaction. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  2. Frederickson, N. & Turner, J. (2003). Utilizing the classroom peer group to address children's social needs: An evaluation of the Circle of Friends intervention approach. The Journal of Special Education, 36, 234-245.
  3. Newton, C., Taylor, G., & Wilson, D. (1996). Circles of Friends: An inclusive approach to meeting emotional and behavioural needs. Educational Psychology in Practice, 11, 41-48.
  4. Shotton, G. (1998). A Circles of Friends approach for socially neglected children. Educational Psychology in Practice, 14, 22-25.
  5. Whitaker, P., Barratt, P., Joy, H., Potter, M., & Thomas, G. (1998). Children with autism and peer group support: Using "circles of friends". British Journal of Special Education, 25, 60–64.
  6. Taylor, G. (1996). Creating a Circle of Friends: A case study. In H. Cowie & S. Sharp (Eds.), Peer counselling in schools. London: Barry Fulton.
  7. Pearpoint, J., Forest, M., & Snow, J. (1992). The inclusion papers. Toronto: Inclusion Press.
  8. Taylor, G. (1997). Community building in schools: Developing a 'circle of friends.' Educational and Child Psychology, 14, 45-50.
  9. Frederickson, N., Warren, L. & Turner, J. (2005). "Circle of Friends" – An exploration of impact over time. Educational Psychology in Practice, 21, 197-217
  10. http://www.txautism.net/docs/Guide/Interventions/CircleFriends.pdf Texas Autism Research Guide for Effective Teaching (TARGET)