Evidence-based Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: the UCLA PEERS Program

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2011 Aug 23

PMID 21858588

Citations 145

Authors

Elizabeth A Laugeson

Fred Frankel

Alexander Gantman

Ashley R Dillon

Catherine Mogil

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The present study examines the efficacy and durability of the PEERS Program, a parent-assisted social skills group intervention for high-functioning adolescents with ASD. Results indicate that teens receiving PEERS significantly improved their social skills knowledge, social responsiveness, and overall social skills in the areas of social communication, social cognition, social awareness, social motivation, assertion, cooperation, and responsibility, while decreasing autistic mannerisms and increasing the frequency of peer interactions. Independent teacher ratings revealed significant improvement in social skills and assertion from pre-test to follow-up assessment. Examination of durability of improvement revealed maintenance of gains in nearly all domains with additional treatment gains at a 14-week follow-up assessment.

Citing Articles

Improving Social Communication in Autistic Adolescents Through a Clinic-Home-School Collaboration.

Koegel L, Abrams D, Tran T, Koegel R J Autism Dev Disord. 2024; .

PMID: 39425843 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06545-6.

Is there evidence that playing games promotes social skills training for autistic children and youth?.

Walsh O, Linehan C, Ryan C Autism. 2024; 29(2):329-343.

PMID: 39305194 PMC: 11816463. DOI: 10.1177/13623613241277309.

Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.

Sung C, Okyere C, Connor A, Chen J J Autism Dev Disord. 2024; .

PMID: 39292345 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06527-8.

Adapting the PEERS for Young Adults Program for Autistic Adults across the Lifespan.

Harker S, Baxter L, Gallegos S, Mitchell M, Zerga L, Matthews N Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(16).

PMID: 39201145 PMC: 11354006. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161586.

Social Skills Interventions for Adolescents with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Narzisi A, Sesso G, Fabbri-Destro M, Berloffa S, Fantozzi P, Muccio R Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2024; 21(3):169-181.

PMID: 38988677 PMC: 11231730. DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20240302.

References

Hanley G, Iwata B, Thompson R . Reinforcement schedule thinning following treatment with functional communication training. J Appl Behav Anal. 2001; 34(1):17-38. PMC: 1284294. DOI: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-17. View

Frith C . Schizophrenia and theory of mind. Psychol Med. 2004; 34(3):385-9. DOI: 10.1017/s0033291703001326. View

Attwood T . Frameworks for behavioral interventions. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2003; 12(1):65-86, vi. DOI: 10.1016/s1056-4993(02)00054-8. View

FRANKEL F, Myatt R, Cantwell D, Feinberg D . Parent-assisted transfer of children's social skills training: effects on children with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997; 36(8):1056-64. DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199708000-00013. View

Orsmond G, Krauss M, Seltzer M . Peer relationships and social and recreational activities among adolescents and adults with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2004; 34(3):245-56. DOI: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000029547.96610.df. View

Klin A, Volkmar F . Asperger syndrome: diagnosis and external validity. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2003; 12(1):1-13, v. DOI: 10.1016/s1056-4993(02)00052-4. View

Krasny L, Williams B, Provencal S, Ozonoff S . Social skills interventions for the autism spectrum: essential ingredients and a model curriculum. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2003; 12(1):107-22. DOI: 10.1016/s1056-4993(02)00051-2. View

Bauminger N, Kasari C . Loneliness and friendship in high-functioning children with autism. Child Dev. 2000; 71(2):447-56. DOI: 10.1111/1467-8624.00156. View

Haddad J . Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS treatment manual. J Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2015; 25(1):93-4. DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2013.802447. View

10.

Lovaas O . Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1987; 55(1):3-9. DOI: 10.1037//0022-006x.55.1.3. View

11.

Starr E, Szatmari P, Bryson S, Zwaigenbaum L . Stability and change among high-functioning children with pervasive developmental disorders: a 2-year outcome study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003; 33(1):15-22. DOI: 10.1023/a:1022222202970. View

12.

Mesibov G . Social skills training with verbal autistic adolescents and adults: a program model. J Autism Dev Disord. 1984; 14(4):395-404. DOI: 10.1007/BF02409830. View

13.

Wood J, Drahota A, Sze K, Van Dyke M, Decker K, Fujii C . Brief report: effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on parent-reported autism symptoms in school-age children with high-functioning autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009; 39(11):1608-12. PMC: 2759867. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0791-7. View

14.

Laugeson E, Frankel F, Mogil C, Dillon A . Parent-assisted social skills training to improve friendships in teens with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2008; 39(4):596-606. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-008-0664-5. View

15.

OConnor M, Frankel F, Paley B, Schonfeld A, Carpenter E, Laugeson E . A controlled social skills training for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006; 74(4):639-48. PMC: 10246454. DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.4.639. View

16.

Buhrmester D . Intimacy of friendship, interpersonal competence, and adjustment during preadolescence and adolescence. Child Dev. 1990; 61(4):1101-11. View

17.

Wolfberg P, Schuler A . Integrated play groups: a model for promoting the social and cognitive dimensions of play in children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 1993; 23(3):467-89. DOI: 10.1007/BF01046051. View

18.

Solomon M, Goodlin-Jones B, Anders T . A social adjustment enhancement intervention for high functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder NOS. J Autism Dev Disord. 2005; 34(6):649-68. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-004-5286-y. View

19.

Shtayermman O . Peer victimization in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome: a link to depressive symptomatology, anxiety symptomatology and suicidal ideation. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs. 2007; 30(3):87-107. DOI: 10.1080/01460860701525089. View

20.

Laushey K, Heflin L . Enhancing social skills of kindergarten children with autism through the training of multiple peers as tutors. J Autism Dev Disord. 2000; 30(3):183-93. DOI: 10.1023/a:1005558101038. View