The CIRCLES Program teaches social distance and levels of intimacy through the use of six color coded concentric circles. Starting from the center circle, which is the self, each new colored circle represents behaviors, feelings, and actions appropriate to the distance from the center, or self. For example, a person may hug and kiss members of the family, people in the Blue Hug Circle, but only wave to the mailman, who is in the distant Orange Wave Circle. APPLICATION BELOW 1. Children ages 8-13 with high functioning autism, pervasive developmental disorder or Asperger syndrome.  2. Youth and young adults (14+) with autism and/or developmental disabilities.

The CIRCLES Program assists students to discriminate different degrees of intimacy and to adapt their behaviors accordingly. The program teaches students how relationships can be formed and maintained according to the social norms of our day. Thus, the CIRCLES Program lays the foundation for people with social deficits due to their disabilities to manage the amount of personal responsibility and social integration in their lives.

Circles Part I: This class, which spans the first part of Circles I, consists of video programs, discussion, activities and role-plays designed to teach social and sexual distance. It explores the level of intimacy between people in the way that they TOUCH, TALK to and TRUST each other. Students will learn "relationship boundaries" and relationship-specific behaviors, i.e., it's okay to hug your mother, but it's not okay to hug the mailman.

Circles Part II: Classes are designed for students who have already completed Circles, Part I. This class discusses relationship transitions, and how relationships can and do change over time. For example, someone may start out as a stranger in the Red Stranger Space, but develop into a friend in the Green Far-Away Hug Circle. (Program descriptions taken from The CIRCLES I Intimacy & Relationships Curriculum Manual. James Stanfield Publishing Company, Santa Barbara, CA)

Who Should Attend? Adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders who have social skills level of at least kindergarten (5 year old equivalent) and above. Call for consideration outside these ranges.

Class Size: Each session is limited to 10-12 families. Due to space limitations, 1 support person, parent or caregiver may attend each session with student unless there is a specific need for more supports.

Parent/Caregiver participation is critical for the program to be successfully integrated into everyday life. One adult MUST ATTEND each class with students.