A social skills programme for teens and young adults offering a hybrid of online and in-person groups
A social skills programme for teens and young adults offering a hybrid of online and in-person groups
PEERS® (Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) was developed at the University of California Los Angeles.
The group was created to be a parent-assisted social skills training for youth and young adults challenged with various social impairments that have impeded their abilities to make friends and keep friends.
PEERS® is tailored to support neurodiverse teens and young adults to create friendships based on their unique personalities and interests and for them to discover affirmation through this experience. Thus reducing the harmful impact of masking which means constantly feeling pressure to be like every one else.
The programme is a 16-week course that is delivered as close as possible to the clinical standards it was designed. It is now being offered internationally in over 30 different countries.
Parental participation is a key component of our PEERS® programme. Research shows that parental support, instruction, and supervision significantly benefit the development of friendships.
Parent groups run concurrent with teen/young adult groups at the same time and location.
We are offering a fusion online/in person programme with additional supports which help maintain strong outcomes when participants follow the guidelines and practice. Research has proven that both settings have comparable outcomes. This also allows access to families that are not in the Dublin area!
This programme, developed by Elizabeth Laugeson at UCLA, has a strong evidence base for use with teens and young adults on the autism spectrum but it is also appropriate for teens and young adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems.
Research has demonstrated that gains made over the course of this programme are maintained 3-5 years later (Laugeson et al., 2013).
Check out this article where a PEERS® Dating Boot Camp and Dr. Laugeson are featured from the Netflix series 'Love on the Spectrum':
Check out the PEERS® blog for thoughtful pieces and insights that aim to inspire motivation and hope.
Got any questions? Please get in touch with us for more information.