Circles Social Skills Utility 1.7.1

Circles™ App Review

The Circles™ app, which has received a 5-star rating from BridgingApps.com, recognized as a leading resource for special education app evaluations, offers a robust tool for teaching vital concepts of personal space, relationships, and safety. Supported by research from Harvard University, this app stands out as an effective educational resource.

A review from TouchAutism.com highlights its utility: "This app is perfect for individuals that struggle with appropriate personal space. It teaches about relationships, social boundaries, and safety." With the increasing concern among parents and educators about keeping children safe from abuse, the Circles™ app addresses the necessity of recognizing social boundaries and understanding appropriate behaviors.

The app effectively aids children in cultivating essential social skills by providing clear examples of how the closeness and type of physical interaction vary according to the relationship involved. For instance, it establishes that while hugging a family member may be acceptable, approaching a mail carrier in the same manner is not.

Moreover, the Circles™ app elucidates these distinctions in a manner that remains adaptable to individual circumstances. It fosters an understanding that unique situations may alter what is deemed appropriate; for example, a mother who also serves as a mail carrier represents an exception.

This comprehensive application is particularly beneficial for children, teenagers, and young adults with special needs, learning difficulties, or autism. It aims to enrich social competencies through engaging and accessible methods.

Educational Focus Areas:

• Appropriate social interactions regarding touch – identifying who receives hugs, high-fives, or fist bumps.
• Establishing intimacy boundaries to help mitigate risks of abuse and exploitation.
• Recognizing and practicing boundary limits essential for fostering healthy relationships.

Ideal for both educational settings and home environments, the Circles™ app serves as an assistance tool for students familiar with the highly regarded Circles® social boundaries curriculum. For educators, it acts as a valuable supplement to established instructional practices. In home settings, it introduces children to the principles of appropriate physical contact while encouraging parental involvement in guiding their learning experience.

The Circles® Curriculum

Functioning as both a standalone resource and a companion to the renowned Circles® curriculum—proven effective through studies conducted at Harvard University and implemented in over 12,000 schools across the country—the Circles app extends learning beyond physical contact. The curriculum provides an in-depth exploration into the development of social skills by detailing suitable levels of trust and communication for varying relationships and scenarios.

This curriculum’s video-based approach equips educators with tools to teach students with special needs about complex social dynamics in an engaging format.

For further information about the Circles™ app and its comprehensive curriculum, please visit www.stanfield.com.