PEERS, which stands for Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, is a social skills intervention program for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the program is designed to help teenagers and adults learn social skills, such as initiating and maintaining conversations, choosing appropriate friends, and handling conflict.
The program is based on evidence-based practices, with a focus on cognitive behavior therapy, social learning principles, and motivational interviewing. PEERS has been shown to be effective in improving social skills and reducing social anxiety and depression among adolescents with ASD.
According to a study by Laugeson et al. (2014), a randomized controlled trial of the program found that participants who received PEERS intervention showed significant improvement in their social skills, including initiating and responding to social interactions, initiating and maintaining conversations, communication and handling peer rejection.
Furthermore, the study found that participants who received the PEERS intervention also demonstrated significant improvement in their quality of life, as measured by the Quality of Life Scale.
Peer relationships are an essential part of every individual’s life, especially during adolescence and young adulthood.
PEERS is a 16-week social skills intervention program that supports teens with Autism (ASD), ADHD and other social challenges. The program is designed to help participants learn how to make and keep friends, communicate effectively, and handle social situations. The program is designed to help participants improve social skills that are essential for a successful life.
Furthermore, the importance of peer relationships during adolescence cannot be overstated as it plays a significant role in an individual’s social, emotional, and psychological development. Providing teens with the skills to build and maintain positive peer relationships can have a profound impact on their overall well-being, leading to improved mental health and a more successful future.