Building Skills To Build Connection
PEERS® DALLAS
Most people agree that friends are essential for a happy, healthy life. But what if a person wants to have friends but doesn’t know how? At PEERS® DALLAS we combine our passion for individual-affirming, empowering ABA with PEERS®, the evidence-based program of communication, and relationship building skills for teens and adults with autism and related social changes.
PEERS® Is Unique
PEERS is unique among available curricula. In contrast to other social skills programs PEERS is
- Scientifically validated for teens and adults with autism
- All target skills are ecologically validated
- Skills introduced in non-example/example videos for learning engagement and active student responding
- Incorporates training of parents or social coaches to support use of skills in daily life
- Weekly homework assigned for practice
- Designated as an evidence-based practice for learners with autism spectrum disorder
Prerequisites for Being Accepted into the Program
- Have friendship problems or social challenges
- Motivated to learn how to make and keep friends
- Teen Group – be in middle school or high school
- Teens must be interested in attending and voluntarily agree to participate
- Young Adult Group – age 18-30
- Application Process
PEERS® Adolesents
PEERS® for Adolescents is an evidence-based, parent assisted training intervention for teens in middle and high school who are motivated to learn skills needed to make and keep friends and/or handle conflict and rejection. Teens and parents attend 16 weekly telehealth sessions over Zoom for 90-minutes each week. Teens are taught social skills through didactic lessons and role-play demonstrations, and practice these skills during online socialization activities. Parents attend separate telehealth sessions simultaneously and are taught how to assist their teens in making and keeping friends. Parent participation is required.
- Using social media and online platforms to develop and maintain friendships
- Conversational skills
- Entering & exiting conversations
- Electronic communication
- Using humor appropriately
- Organizing get-togethers
- Being a good sport
- Handling disagreements
- Changing a bad reputation
- Handling teasing and bullying’
PEERS® Young Adults
PEERS® for Young Adults is an evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated adults with autism who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or developing romantic relationships. Young adults and social coaches (including parents or other caregivers) attend 16 weekly telehealth sessions over Zoom for 90-minutes each week. Young adults are taught social skills through didactic lessons and role-play demonstrations, and practice these skills during online socialization activities. Social coaches attend separate telehealth sessions simultaneously and are taught how to assist young adults with autism in making and keeping friends and/or dating.
- Using social media and online platforms to develop and maintain friendships
- Conversational skills
- Entering & exiting conversations
- Appropriate use of humor
- Electronic communication
- Dating skills
- Organizing get-togethers
- Handling direct and indirect bullying
- Handling disagreements
- Handling dating pressure’
Want to know more about how we can help?