Friendship Circle: Supporting Children With Special Needs
Some experts propose that participation in life situations with family, same-aged peers, and community members can improve the lives of children with disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to measure health and disability in both individuals and populations. It generally emphasizes availability and access to activities in environments where those with disabilities can interact with and work alongside others without disabilities. It also notes that social interactions and connections tend to be a key part of the process.
The Friendship Circle is an international organization that aims to build relationships between people with disabilities and their peers and communities. While it can be an excellent resource, parents of children with disabilities often benefit from individualized support as well. One way to receive personalized professional guidance may be to connect with a licensed mental health professional.
What is The Friendship Circle?
The Friendship Circle is a nonprofit organization that aims to create inclusive friendships between people with and without disabilities. Although it is a Jewish organization, it welcomes members of all religious affiliations.
The Friendship Circle organization is built on the foundation that focusing on abilities instead of disabilities can lead to strong friendships and teach the lessons of honesty, positive thinking, and commitment. The Friendship Circle celebrates the individuality of children and young adults with special needs and offers support and peace of mind to their families.
The Friendship Circle mission
According to its website, The Friendship Circle focuses on “developing the values of altruism, compassion, and acceptance in our teen volunteers as we heighten community awareness and sensitivity and encourage a sense of responsibility and involvement.” The Friendship Circle uses multiple programs to build these friendships and awareness.
The Friendship Circle programs
The Friendship Circle offers many programs to support its mission, although some programs mentioned below may not be available at all branches.
Friends@Home
Friends@Home is a program in which a pair of specially trained teenage volunteers visits a friend with special needs at their home once a week. Some local Friendship Circle centers may provide supplies and activity ideas for the friends to do together.
Camp
Some branches of the Friendship Circle offer summer and winter camps for children with special needs. Campers typically learn new skills and have fun singing and making crafts while parents and siblings enjoy a brief respite at home.
Holiday programs
The Friendship Circle also offers holiday programs with activities that allow families to focus on the traditions of the Jewish faith. Holiday activities can help each family member participate at their own level. These activities may also build connections between families, their faith, and the larger community.
Children’s Torah Circle
This Friendship Circle program usually focuses on developing children's language and gross motor skills through arts and crafts, stories, and music. It can also provide support and socialization for children with special needs as they learn more about their heritage.
Sports Night
Research suggests that youth sports can have many benefits for children, but many kids with special needs may not get the opportunity to join a team. At Friendship Circle Sports Nights, kids can get a chance to engage in various sports under the guidance of trained volunteers and professional instructors.
Sibling support programs
Social support for siblings of children with special needs can lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes. The Friendship Circle offers sibling support, where sisters and brothers of those with special needs can share and talk to their peers, participate in fun activities and discussions, and learn skills to help them in their everyday lives.
Life skills
Life skills can help those with special needs become more comfortable in public places. Professionals and teen volunteers typically help kids become more comfortable in new situations so they can become more self-sufficient as they age.
Walk4Friendship
Walk4Friendship is a community event hosted in many cities with a Friendship Circle branch. Families, friends, and volunteers may participate in these walkathons to raise money to support local Friendship Circle programs.
Endurance events
In addition to walkathons, the Friendship Circle also hosts endurance events, like cross-country biking, marathons, and hikes. For example, in February 2024, Team Friendship organized a fundraiser where participants signed up to fundraise and take a guided hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro. In 2025, Bike Friendship is hosting a bike ride from California to New York, which is scheduled to take place from July 3 to August 17.
Research
The Friendship Circle was founded on the idea that creating inclusive friendships between people with and without disabilities can benefit everyone involved. Research indicates that this type of interaction may be necessary for helping people with disabilities develop a true sense of belonging.
Benefits for children with special needs
Research has found that, while inclusion in an educational setting can be crucial, facilitating participation in the community can create a sense of belonging for individuals with disabilities. This study states that shifting from inclusion to participation is key and that service providers who understand the needs of children with disabilities and their families can help meet their individual needs.
Branches
To date, there are close to 90 branches of the Friendship Circle worldwide. Most Friendship Circle branches are located across the continental US, but there are also branches in Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
Additional support for a child or young adult with special needs
If you have a child or young adult with a disability in your life, a group like The Friendship Circle can provide community-level support where your child can enjoy a sense of community and understanding. However, children with disabilities and their families often benefit from more specialized support. Working with a licensed therapist or another mental health professional who is trained to support children with special needs can give these children a safe space to talk about their challenges and get individualized support.
Parenting children with special needs often comes with unique challenges. If your child has a disability, talking to a therapist can help you learn coping skills to manage stressors and techniques to help your child navigate the world.
Therapy options
Online therapy can be a flexible, convenient option for people who prefer to avoid the waiting lists and long commute times that can come with in-person treatment. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a qualified professional from the comfort of your home or any location with an internet connection. Most people are matched with a therapist within 48 hours of signing up, and you can change providers at any time until you find a good match.
Research has found that online therapy can be as effective as in-person treatment. According to a 2021 study, online interventions may be especially helpful for parents, improving their mood, coping skills, psychological flexibility, and emotion regulation.
Takeaway
Meaning of “friendship circle?”
“Friendship circle” can have two meanings. Some people use this term to refer to a group of friends or circle of friends who spend time together and are all friends with one another. This term is also the name of an organization (Friendship Circle), which provides academic and social support to children with special needs.
What does “my friend circle” mean?
If someone refers to their friend circle, they may be talking about a group of people they hang out with. Friend circles may be more common in groups of teens, since schools offer an environment where people can form groups. Adult friend groups might go on walks, hold parties, or have group get-togethers for celebrations. In some cases, someone referring to their friend circle might be them referring to all the friends they have, even if those friends don’t know each other.
Who started this organization?
The Friendship Circle organization was founded by partners Zalman and Toba Grossbaum, Yossie and Estie Marozov, and Levi and Bassie Shemtov. The organization was created to support children with varying needs and disabilities who might struggle academically in a typical setting. Teen volunteers work with the program to spread compassion, empathy, and understanding in school systems nationwide. Having friends and academic support can be good for the soul, positively impacting a child’s mental and physical health.
How to create a friend circle?
To make new friends as an adult, you might try some of the following strategies:
- Organize events for a close community you’re part of (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, spiritual, etc.)
- Attend or organize a club for an interest you have
- Go to local events and talk to strangers
- If you’re part of the LGBTQ community, download an app like Lex, which allows you to find local groups and events
- Seek new friends on dating apps, like Bumble BFF
- Talk to your coworkers
- Attend social gatherings
- Join a group, like a spiritual group or art club
- Sign up for a dinner with strangers on an app like Timeleft (in big cities)
Why is the organization called this?
Friendship Circle supports children with disabilities or unique needs in the academic environment. One way they do so is by helping these children make friends and experience the joy of friendship. Friendship can have many mental health benefits, so this organization aims to be a circle of wellness that surrounds these children’s lives.
How do you behave in the Friendship Circle?
There is no code of conduct on how to behave when spending time with friends. However, friends often treat each other with respect and may value honesty, transparency, and fun when hanging out. Generally, making jokes at someone’s expense, talking negatively about others, or lying to friends are considered harmful behaviors.
Why is this organization important to children with special needs?
Friendship Circle supports children with unique needs and disabilities in finding friends, succeeding in their academic environments, and coping with challenges. This organization pairs teen volunteers with children who may benefit from social interaction and peer support. With over 80 chapters worldwide, this organization has made a significant impact on families.
How do I leave a toxic group?
If you have toxic friends, you may leave by letting them know you’re no longer interested in being part of the group. If you’re worried they may group up against you, consider leaving the group without communication to protect your safety. If your old friends talk poorly about you after you leave, consider confiding in someone you trust or talking to a therapist about your experiences. This gossip may seem to last forever but may die down as time moves on and you make new friends.
Does your social group affect you?
Social connections are some of the most important connections people may have in their lifetime, as they can impact mental and physical health. If your friend circle is unhealthy or toxic, you might be negatively impacted by spending time with them. Contrarily, if your friends unconditionally love and support you and make you feel safe, you may have a greater sense of mental health and wellness.
What is the purpose of a social group in childhood compared to young adulthood?
In childhood, friend groups often serve the purpose of giving children a place to learn about the social climate outside of their homes. They can talk to their friends about topics they can’t communicate about with their families and have people who support them in the positive and negative moments of their lives. In adulthood, friends can serve a similar purpose but are often not as present as in childhood and may serve more for companionship and support.
- Previous Article
- Next Article