Razzino & Associates LLC

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PEERS® or the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, is a social skills training intervention for adolescents and young adults. This program, developed byElizabeth Laugeson at UCLA , has a strong evidence base for use with teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, but it is also appropriate for teens and young adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems. Recent research has demonstrated that gains made over the course of this program are maintained 3-5 years later (Laugeson et al., 2013).

Parental participation is a key component of our PEERS® program. Research shows that parental support, instruction, and supervision significantly benefit the development of friendships. By learning to be effective social coaches, aiding in homework completion, providing opportunities for peer interaction, and giving guidance on interpersonal problem-solving, parents contribute to their adolescent’s or young adult’s ability to develop and sustain lasting friendships. This parental social coaching also helps ensure that these new skills are retained after the program is over. Parent groups run concurrent with teen/young adult groups at the same time and location.

Research Publications on PEERS

Examination of a Parent-Assisted, Friendship-Building Program for Adolescents With ADHD

Parent and Family Outcomes of PEERS- A Social Skills Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Karst, et al., 2014)

The ABC’s of Teaching Social Skills to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom- The UCLA PEERS Program (Laugeson, et al., 2014)

Long-Term Treatment Outcomes for Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders- The UCLA PEERS Program (Mandelberg, et al., 2014)

A Replication and Extension of the PEERS Intervention- Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Schohl, et al., 2013)

Measuring the Plasticity of Social Approach- A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of the PEERS Intervention on EEG Asymmetry in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Van Hecke, et al., 2013)

Evidence-Based Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders- The UCLA PEERS Program (Laugeson, et al., 2012)

Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training to Improve Friendships in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Laugeson, et al., 2009)