It has been an interesting school year. My son’s general education teacher has been impressed
with the changes he has made since attending his extracurricular social skills
group. For example, now he readily
starts conversations with other classmates.
As a result, she started a weekly rotating friendship circle including
him and four other students. We are
humbled by her kindness. We know this
doesn't happen all the time. In fact, it
was only three years ago that I got in a heated telephone conversation with his
preschool teacher. So my husband and I
are grateful.
So since January, our son has been a part of this
friendship circle at his elementary school.
The group meets once a week during recess and they discuss topics
ranging from bullying to favorite television shows. Also, they cover other areas including teamwork
and altering voice tone according to your environment (e.g. not shouting in the
classroom).
Friendship Circles or the “Circle
of Friends” approach can be used for including individuals
with disabilities into schools by forming a group composed of other typically-developing
students around a “target” child with special needs. The circle is usually led by a teacher or
administrator who serves as the facilitator.
The groups are focused on equipping special-needs students with socially
acceptable responses to everyday situations.
A number of studies suggest that participation in
friendship circles may be linked with improved behavior by children with
disabilities. For instance, a 2003 study
in The Journal of Special Education found
that a weekly Circle of Friends program had positive effects on the social
acceptance of the target children by other classmates after six weeks.
In addition, in a 1998 study
published in the British Journal of
Special Education, facilitators reported that students with autism who
participated in a circle of friends program showed improvements such as
reduced anxiety and higher levels of peer contact.
Still, some research suggests that some children
with disabilities may not learn new social skills after participating in
friendship circles. However, the programs
may promote an environment
where special-needs students can become a part of the school’s social community.
Also, several peer participants reported
a higher degree of compassion and acceptance towards children with
disabilities. And some parents of special-needs
students said they felt less alienated and isolated after their child completed
the program.
As we go into summer, I am a little nervous about
the changes that may come with second grade (e.g. I actually joked with my
son’s general education teacher about her possibly looping with the
class). But life is about the acceptance
of change. That makes it especially
challenging because that’s not my son’s strong suit (or mine). So I guess we will have to
count on the three P's to get us through: Preparation, persuasion—and lots
and lots of prayer.
