Autism Services – The Circles Program: Rules of Social Boundaries

The Circles Program is a 12-week structured program designed to provide learners with the skills they need to help navigate varying relationships and social interactions.  Circles aims to teach learners that there are different social rules, expectations, and behaviours with different people, depending on the closeness of the relationship to those people.  The goals of this group will include:

• Identifying different types of relationships
• Learning and practicing recognizing personal space and appropriate social distance
• Knowing and using appropriate steps to form, maintain and change relationships
• Learning how to Talk, Touch, and Trust depending on the relationship level

A Behaviour Plan will be created for each participant that will outline their learning goals for the group as well as a progress review to summarize outcomes. Content will be adjusted based on the age range of participants.

*Snacks, Drinks and Transportation will not be provided. Participants will be provided with opportunities to have snacks and drinks during group time, please pack one. Please note, we are a tree nut and peanut free facility.

Who is Eligible for the Group?

This group is currently being offered to children 6-8 years of age, with an ASD diagnosis.

Commitment to the Group?

Children will attend 12 separate 1.5-hour in-person sessions every week. Weekly challenges are required to be completed at home with caregiver support.

Caregiver handouts will be provided each week describing the skills learned and tips to practice at home. Caregivers have the option of booking up to 2 1-hour consults to support their own capacity to support children.

Group Dates: September 13^th – November 29^th  

Virtual Caregiver Orientation:

Wednesday September 6^th, 2023 from 5:00-6:00pm

Children Sessions:

Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30

Registration: Please email [email protected]. Intake applications will be distributed to all interested parties at a later date, to help determine eligibility and appropriateness for this group. If this group is not the best fit for you and your teen, you will be contacted further with a rationale, and other possible options.

Cost: $825

Location: Maltby Centre, Suite 100-31 Hyperion Court, Kingston, ON K7K 7G3

Requirements: To access this group, your child/youth requires an ASD diagnosis and must be within the identified age range.