I’m sure all Circle of Friends leaders know autistic kids tend to require explicit instruction in understanding and developing friendships. As experts in peer-mediated support intervention, I imagine you do since you live in these worlds every day and have chosen to go the extra mile to incorporate friendship training. But are you aware even one friend at school is a protective factor in preventing mental health problems such as depression? That having just one friend at school can serve as a buffer in bully prevention? These articles by Dr. Michelle Garnett and Professor Tony Attwood might provide some additional insight, ideas, and definitely some acknowledgement for your efforts in providing Circle of Friends at your school!

How to Encourage Friendship at Primary School: Part 1

How to Encourage Friendship at Primary School: Part 2

Autism Awareness Month

Videos to Show

• Just Like You Films Autism
• Sesame Street and Autism Highlight Reel
• Meet Julia
• Nancy Learns About Autism
• Five Questions About Autism
• What Does It Feel Like to Have Autism?
• The Party: A Virtual Experience of Autism
• Autism TMI Virtual Reality Experience
• Can You Make It To The End?
• The Benefits of Autism
• And, don’t forget to check out the awareness activity ideas shared by our own COF facilitators!

$50 Amazon Gift Card Winner

Congratulations to Stacy Stewart!

Out and about! The 3rd grade Shelby Rising City Circle of Friends group went on a field trip. The group went together to the movie Migration. The students ordered their own tickets and snacks. It was great to see the independence of all of the students! The members helped the focus student to have a successful experience at the movies. The group sat together and reminded the focus student of expectations throughout the movie. It was neat to hear the students come back to school the next day and have something common and fun to talk about. This helped to promote COF within their classroom. Such a success while making memories together!

Starting Up a New COF Group at Your School?

Be ready to hit the ground running in the fall with a new Circle of Friends group.

Work at your convenience in our free summer independent study COF professional development training. Participants will work at their own pace anytime between the months of May and August.

Afterwards, new group facilitators will meet in a 1:1 or small group Zoom session to have any questions answered.

*NOTE

Several people have asked what the training will consist of and what the time commitment would be. Participants will watch two training webinars, approximately 40 minutes in length each and complete a COF planning guide that accompanies the webinars. Finally, you’ll schedule a Zoom with Mary Schlieder to have any questions answered you may have after completing the webinars and planning guide. These tasks are to be completed by August 15th. To register: Click HERE.

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It’s Not Too Early to Think About Next Year!



The end of the school year always flies by with end of year tasks. But, if you or someone you know is considering leading a current or starting up a new Circle of Friends group in 2024-25, please take a second to sign up HERE. This will insure you’ll stay up-to-date on COF happenings, training, and support for next school year. Feel free to pass on the link to interested parties. Thanks!