Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS)
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is outpatient, evidence-based social skills training for teens and parents or caregivers. Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel started the program at UCLA in 2005. Since then, it has expanded to locations all over the country, including Cincinnati Children’s.
Call 513-636-4611 for more information about the PEERS program.
Who Can Join PEERS?
PEERS is for youth with social challenges, who are between ages 13–18. The program focuses on people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but may also help youth with:
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Mild intellectual disabilities
- Socioemotional difficulties
Teens benefit most from the program if they have a hard time with social interactions, and they are motivated to improve social skills.
What to Expect
At Cincinnati Children’s, we offer PEERS in person at our Liberty Campus and virtually. Before families join the PEERS group, the caregiver and teen must attend an intake session. During intake, a clinician will complete an assessment to make sure group participation is the best approach for your needs.
If you join PEERS, typically families commit to a 12-week social skills group. Both a teen group and a parent group meet four days each week. The teen group meets to learn about and practice:
- Conversations
- Electronic communication
- Joining groups
- Humor
- How to handle teasing and disagreements
- Ways to plan get-togethers with other teens
Teens also complete homework each week. They work on making phone calls both in and out of the PEERS group and joining activities to make new friends.
The parent group meets separate from the teens. Parents learn how to coach their teen to use skills outside of the PEERS group environment. A caregiver must attend the parent group while their teen attends the teen group.
PEERS Location
PEERS is offered at our Liberty Campus.
