Friendships represent a significant and important role in most of our lives. Developing and maintaining those relationships seems to come ‘natural’ for most of us, something we were born knowing how to do. However, friendship building is difficult for individuals on the autism spectrum. The “Circle of Friends” process can help students learn to build relationships with peers and increase their overall sense of belonging as well as participating in the social sector.

For more detailed information visit the iCAN training modules.

Or check out this site for Nebraska’s 2008 Teacher of the Year, Mary Schlieder.  Mary has a book out titled, “With Open Arms:  Creating School Communities of Support for Socially Challenged Kids Using Circle of Friends, Extracurricular Activities, and Staff Learning Teams”.    This book will give parents and school staff practical, easy to use tools to create a welcoming school community for kids with social challenges. Best of all, Mary is a Nebraska teacher and willing to come speak to local parent groups.  You can contact her at mary@schoolswithopenarms.com. 

(For more tips please visit our Autism News section where everything is archived!)