What is PEERS®?
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is a highly regarded, evidence-based social skills intervention designed for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other social challenges, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Developed by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this program helps adolescents improve their social and psychosocial functioning.
Essential Features of PEERS® for Adolescents
- Parent/caregiver-assisted, 16-week intervention tailored for adolescents with social difficulties.
- Focuses on cooperative social behavior, social assertiveness, and self-regulation to promote social acceptance.
- Improves receptive and expressive social communication skills, enhancing social responsiveness.
- Encourages greater empathy by developing social cognitive abilities.
- Provides strategies for participating in social activities and hobbies to foster friendships and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Outcomes for Adolescents
Enhanced Friendships
Enhanced ability to form and maintain friendships.
Increased Confidence
Increased confidence in social interactions.
Reduced Isolation
A decrease in feelings of isolation through meaningful social connections. This program supports adolescents in navigating the complexities of social relationships, empowering them to thrive in their daily lives.
PEERS® Program at Autizum
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is a globally recognized, evidence-based, 16-week social skills program designed for adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other social challenges.
Meet Our Team
Autizum is a secure, welcoming, and supportive space dedicated to supporting adolescents and adults seeking to enhance their social skills. Our team works with a variety of different groups and communities. We proudly offer the PEERS® Evidence-Based Program, developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other social challenges. Grounded in the latest UCLA research on social skill development, our approach prioritizes each person’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals. Through personalized support, we aim to build social confidence, foster meaningful connections, and empower individuals with a stronger sense of self. Our team members are trained at Semel Institute for Neuroscience as PEERS® Certified providers for Adolescence.
Our team members are trained at Semel Institute for Neuroscience as PEERS® Certified providers for Adolescence.
Why Choose PEERS® and not other social skills methods
- The PEERS® program has demonstrated effectiveness through multiple randomized controlled trials, with evidence of maintained gains 1–5 years post-treatment (Laugeson et al., 2015).
- After completing the 16-week PEERS® program, caregivers reported overall improvements in social skills, including cooperative social behavior with peers and family members, increased social assertiveness, and enhanced self-control (Laugeson et al., 2015).
- Participants showed significant gains in social responsiveness, attributed to the program’s focus on receptive and expressive social communication skills (Laugeson et al., 2015).
- Empathy also improved significantly among participants, likely due to the development of social cognitive skills that help them better understand others’ mental and emotional states (Baron-Cohen & Wheelwright, 2004).
What Does It Mean to Be Evidence-Based?
To earn the label Evidence-Based, the PEERS® program underwent rigorous clinical trials and comprehensive research to collect data supporting its efficacy.
These trials demonstrate the program’s ability to deliver measurable, replicable benefits in social skills and overall psychosocial functioning (Laugeson et al., 2015).