How We Treat
(PEERS Therapy) Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills
PEERS® has been expanded to develop other social skills geared toward career advancement, dating, friendship, educational classes, and other life experiences.
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is an evidence-based treatment program focusing on the development of social skills for children, adolescents, and young adults with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
PEERS Program Skills
Developed by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson at UCLA, PEERS uses
lessons and role-play demonstrations to teach individuals how to:
For school-aged children, the PEERS curriculum focuses on:
- Handle conflict and rejection
- Make friends and keep them
- Engage in appropriate conversational skills
- Understand and use sense of humor appropriately
- Navigate electronic communication
- Listening and following directions
- Starting conversations with friends
- Asking for help
- Greeting peers and adults
- Transitioning to other activities
PEERS® Programs at CCG Offer:
- Quality teaching and supervision from certified PEERS® providers
- Presentations and video role plays for each lesson
- Support for parents in social coaching
- Support of social coaches for teens to engage in behavioral rehearsals
- Evidence-based practice to enhance your or your loved one's social skills
Recommended Reading:
- PEERS for Young Adults Social Skills Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges
Book by Elizabeth Laugeson (2017) - The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults
Book by Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2013) - Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The PEERS Treatment Manual
- Book by Elizabeth A. Laugeson(2010)
FAQs
Who can benefit from PEERS®?
PEERS® is appropriate for individuals who are motivated to improve their social connections, especially those with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ADHD
Social anxiety or other anxiety concerns
Social-pragmatic communication challenges
What is the format of PEERS® sessions?
Group sessions meeting once per week for teens, and once per week for parents
Each session usually lasts around 90 minutes
Weekly homework assignments to practice skills in real-world settings
What types of skills are taught in PEERS®?
Some of the core skills include:
How to start, maintain, and end conversations
Finding and keeping friends with common interests
Handling teasing, bullying, and rejection
Using appropriate electronic communication (texts, social media)
For young adults: dating etiquette and relationship skills
How long does the PEERS® program last?
The PEERS® program runs for 14-16 sessions.
Is parent or social coach participation required?
Yes. Parent or coach involvement is a central part of PEERS®. They learn strategies to support skill practice and help reinforce progress outside of sessions.
What are the prerequisites or eligibility criteria?
Motivation to improve social skills
Ability to communicate verbally in a group setting
Age-appropriate fit for the specific group (child, teen, young adult)
Completion of an intake or screening process in many cases
What outcomes or benefits can one expect from PEERS®?
Participants often show:
Improved ability to make and maintain friendships
More confidence in conversations and social settings
Better coping strategies for teasing, bullying, or rejection
For young adults, improved skills in dating and relationships
How is PEERS® different from other social skills programs?
Unlike many generic social skills groups, PEERS® is manualized, research-based, and structured like a class. It combines direct instruction, modeling, role-play, feedback, and real-life practice. Parent involvement ensures skills generalize beyond the therapy setting.