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The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education
What to know about

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Groups

PEERS is a manualized social skills program developed by Elizabeth Laugeson and Fred Frankel at UCLA, teaching concrete, ecologically valid social skills to autistic adolescents, young adults, and adults, as well as people with ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. What sets it apart is its grounding in what socially successful people actually do, rather than idealized norms, so participants learn skills they can really use. A parallel caregiver group runs simultaneously, giving the adults in someone's life the same language to coach skills between sessions. Curricula exist for teens, young adults, and adults.

Who it's for, and who it's not

A fit for those able to engage in verbal group instruction.
Not for those without social motivation or who can't do verbal group work.
Active caregiver participation matters; without it, effects are smaller.

What it's for

Autistic teens, young adults, and adults with social motivation.
For making and keeping friends, dating, conflict, and handling teasing.
Young Adult and Adult tracks address college and workplace demands.
What to expect
116 weekly 90-minute sessions; participant and caregiver groups run in parallel.
2Each session: homework review, instruction, role-play, new assignment.
3Between-session socialization homework is central to skill generalization.

PEERS is among the most rigorously researched social skills programs.

A meta-analysis of 15 studies found PEERS for Adolescents improved social knowledge, responsiveness, and overall skills, with effects maintained at follow-up.1
A review of RCT quality ranked PEERS among the most rigorously evaluated programs, with consistent effectiveness.2
Making the most of it
Real skills, not ideals. Taught from what socially successful peers actually do.
Homework is the bridge. Practicing in real situations is how skills transfer.
Coaches at home. The caregiver group keeps the support going between sessions.
Questions to ask before you join
1Is the program UCLA PEERS-certified?
2Which curriculum is it (Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults)?
3Is there an active parallel caregiver group?

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In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact. Sources on page 2.

The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education

Sources

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) Groups · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Zheng, S., Kim, H., Salzman, E., Ankenman, K., & Bent, S. Improving social knowledge and skills among adolescents with autism: systematic review and meta-analysis of UCLA PEERS for Adolescents. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2021), 51(12), 4488–4503.

2Afsharnejad, B., Black, M. H., Falkmer, M., Bölte, S., & Girdler, S. The methodological quality and intervention fidelity of randomised controlled trials evaluating social skills group programs in autistic adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2023), 54(4), 1281–1316.

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact.