Actual Class at PHP

The Social Boundaries Program teaches social distance and levels of intimacy through the use of six color coded concentric circles. Starting from the center Purple Private 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.

Based on the work of Marklyn P. Champagne, RN, who is affiliated with the Rhode Island Divison of Retardation and Leslie Walker-Hirsch, I. M. Ed. FAAIDD, Social Development and Sexuality Consultant Santa Fe, NM

Classes are usually comprised of:

• Children ages 8-12 with high functioning autism, pervasive developmental disorder or Asperger syndrome.
• Youth and young adults (13+) with autism and/or developmental disabilities.

The Social Boundaries Classes 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 classes  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.

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.

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.

Class Dates and Times: Part I is a 6-week commitment. Part II is also a 6-week commitment. While we try to separate the classes as best we can into groups of similar cognitive abilities, we understand that there may be scheduling difficulties that preclude us from forming classes in this manner. We remain committed to meeting your needs as best we can.

Cost: Due to scholarship funding families may attend for $75 per team of parent/caregiver and participant. Check with your Regional Center for possible funding:  PHP's SARC Vendor # is ZS0105

Reimbursement partial or full scholarships may be available from PHP, dependent upon available funding.

(The application takes you to the orientation also. Don't miss the application step to ensure inclusion in the next available class!)

Looking for the curriculum?  Visit http://www.stanfield.com/