Circle of Friends is a highly effective model for strengthening inclusion and social skills for students with special needs.

The following nationally recognized organizations endorse key components of the Circle of Friends approach: working with students in the natural environment with feedback from peers who are trained to model and shape social language skills:

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National Autism Center: Circle of Friends meets the criteria for being an Evidence-Based Practice as identified by their National Standards Project. Our program incorporates three established treatments shown to be effective for individuals on the autism spectrum:

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• Peer Training Package

• Natural Teaching Strategies

• Modeling

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http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/

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National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Circle of Friends is well aligned with and supports carryover from Evidence-Based Practices identified through the following:

• Modeling

• Social Narratives

• Naturalistic Intervention

• Social Skills Training

• Peer-Mediated Instruction & Intervention

• Structured Play Group

• Prompting

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http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/

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Autism Speaks: Circle of Friends strengthens areas that promote a successful transition to adult life. The Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit provides research-based strategies useful across all systems to build life skills for community employment. The following four strategies are Evidence-Based Predictors for post-school success:

• Inclusive Practices and Programs

• Collaborative Networks for Student Support

• Social and Social-Emotional Instruction and Skills

• Self-Determination, Independent Living and Skill Building

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https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit