By Laurel A. Falvo

If you’re like me, you occasionally feel “stuck,” whether you’re facing a difficult choice, a problem behavior, a scheduling conflict, or some other dilemma, big or small.

One of the best methods I’ve used for “getting unstuck” is called SOLUTION CIRCLES (Developed by Jack Pierpoint and Marsha Forest, Inclusion Press). This tool is designed to consider input from a diverse set of people to help a person get “unstuck” from a challenging or frustrating situation. Although it does not guarantee a solution, it is likely that the process will point to the next logical step.

As you attempt to use this strategy at home, at school, or even in the workplace, you will need to assemble a diverse TEAM, including:

1. Process Facilitator (team manager/time keeper)
2. Problem Presenter (focus person)
3. Recorder (note taker/graphic recorder)
4. Amazingly Creative Brainstorm Team

Together the team follows these steps:

STEP ONE: (6 minutes) SETTING THE STAGE

• Process Facilitator: Keeps time and focus
• Problem Presenter: UNINTERRUPTED—outlines the problem, provides pertinent information. Sits quietly when finished talking, using full 6 minutes.
• Recorder: Records information on chart paper.
• Amazingly Creative Brainstorm Team: Listen carefully and quietly.

STEP TWO: (6 minutes) BRAINSTORMING

• Process Facilitator: Keeps time and ensures this is just brainstorming (not lecturing or giving advice)
• Problem Presenter: Listens quietly.
• Recorder: Records information on chart paper.
• Amazingly Creative Brainstorm Team: Brainstorm creative ideas and solutions—no explanations/details, just basic suggestions.

STEP THREE: (6 minutes) DIALOGUING

• Process Facilitator: Keeps time and focus
• Problem Presenter: Leads the dialogue—asks questions about interesting ideas. Ask for clarification or more information.
• Recorder: Records information on chart paper.
• Amazingly Creative Brainstorm Team: Respond with information about the presenters questions.

STEP FOUR: (6 minutes) DECISIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• Process Facilitator: Keeps time and focus
• Problem Presenter: Decide on three steps that are doable within the next three days. Ask for one or more people to help hold you accountable.
• Recorder: Records decisions on chart paper.
• Amazingly Creative Brainstorm Team: Volunteer to call or e-mail the presenter to follow up on the action taken (providing accountability and encouragement).

ENDING: Each member provides a one-word summary of his/her experience. Notice that the entire process takes only 24 minutes—with the end result being that a person who was previously “stuck” now has a plan for moving forward and taking some steps toward being unstuck.

I hope you’ll try this! Your team can include teens, adults, parents, professionals, etc.—the more diverse the team members, the more creative your brainstorming process will be! (This is a great tool to use with an IEP team, but don't overlook the benefits of including the older student and/or peers!)

If you try using Solution Circles, I hope you’ll let me know about the experience at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Thank you for the work you are doing to promote social understanding!

Copyright 2007 Laurel A. Falvo