What is PEERS®?
Boston PEERS® Social Skills Program offers evidence-based social skills training using the Program for Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) curriculum, developed by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
During a weekly group session, participants are taught ecologically valid social skills through didactic instruction, role-play demonstrations, practice, and coaching. Skills are learned through in-group rehearsal and ongoing feedback, as well as socialization assignments to encourage carryover.
Separate weekly Zoom sessions are held for parents/caregivers, whose involvement is integral to their child’s success with the program. Caregivers are taught how to assist in making and keeping friends by providing support and feedback with homework assignments.
Preschoolers (ages 4-6) participate in a parent-assisted, play-based 14-week program and learn the following specific skills:
Sharing and taking turns
Asking for and offering help
Joining and exiting play appropriately
Maintaining personal space
Recognizing social cues (e.g., tone of voice, facial expressions)
Managing big feelings and problem-solving with peers
Teens (ages 12-17) participate in a 14-week program and learn the following specific skills:
How to choose appropriate peers for friendships
Conversation skills (how to start, enter, maintain and exit conversations with peers)
How to appropriately communicate via electronic communication (email, text, etc.)
How to appropriately and effectively use humor
How to organize successful get-togethers
How to handle disagreements
How to handle direct and indirect bullying, teasing, rejection, and cyberbullying
And more
Young Adults (age 18+) participate in a 14-week program and learn the following specific skills:
Similar to teens, plus…
Dating etiquette
How to let someone know you like them
How to ask someone on a date
Dating do’s and don’ts
