ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN!

Help your adolescent or young adult make and keep friends.

PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills training program for adolescents and young adults with autism, ADHD, social anxiety and other social challenges.

Delivered over 14 Weeks

Fully Online - Easy to Join from Anywhere

90-Minute Coaching & Development Sessions

the program

Stands for Program for the Enrichment and Education of Relational Skills

An evidence-based social skills training program for adolescents, young adults and adults with social challenges. It was developed by Dr Elizabeth Laugeson at the University of California in 2004.

The PEERS® Program

Program Overview.

  • Separate groups for Adolescents (13-17 years) and Young Adults (18-35 years)
  • Delivered over 14 weeks
  • 90-minute skill development sessions for adolescents and young adults
  • 90-minute coaching sessions for social coach (parent, family member, teacher or support worker)
  • Small class format

ADOLESCENT PEERS® program topics

PEERS® is delivered over 14 weeks of 90-minute sessions, covering topics such as:

Conversational Skills

Learn how to effectively start, maintain, and end conversations, ensuring smooth interactions in various social settings. You'll also explore the appropriate use of humor to enhance communication and build stronger connections.

Dealing with Teasing & Bullying

Understand effective strategies to handle teasing, bullying and rumours and gossip with confidence. This section empowers you to protect your emotional well-being and deflect negative behavior.

Building & Maintaining Relationships

Discover strategies for forming and sustaining meaningful friendships, including tips for choosing appropriate friends and organising social gatherings. This topic focuses on the essentials of nurturing relationships and creating lasting bonds.

Communication in the Digital Age

Explore the intricacies of electronic communication, including texting, emailing, and social media. Learn how to navigate digital interactions positively and maintain good online etiquette.

Managing Conflict & Reputation

Gain tools for managing disagreements constructively and preserving relationships. You'll also learn how to improve and restore your reputation after negative social experiences.

Good Sportsmanship

Focus on the importance of being a good sport in both competitive and casual settings. This topic emphasises fair play, respect, and fostering a supportive social environment.

the Program

14-week Program

The live, interactive 14-week Program runs three times per year.

Enrolments are Now Open for our next intake.

Adolescent and Young Adult Programs

Our live, interactive programs are run on Zoom using AEST time zone over 14 weeks of 90-minute sessions.

Adolescent - GROUP 1
Tuesdays 4.30pm - 6pm

Adolescent - GROUP 2
Wednesdays 4.30pm - 6pm

Adolescent - GROUP 3
Thursdays 5.30pm - 7pm

Young Adult - GROUP 1
Tuesdays 7pm - 8.30pm

Young Adult - GROUP 2
Wednesdays 10.30am - 12.00pm

Parents/ Social Coaches
Mondays 7.00pm - 8.30pm

All sessions are held live online via Zoom

We work very hard to compose the groups with participants who are approximately around the same developmental level. It could be that you need to wait longer for a group that is appropriate.

The investment

Costs

The investment is $188.57 per week per family and includes:

  • Intake interviews
  • 90 min skill development session per week
  • 90 min parent/support worker coaching session per week
  • Weekly handouts/practice at home materials
  • PEERS® App
  • Incentive prizes each week
  • Support throughout the 14-week program

Total Investment: $2,640

$188.57 per week x 14 weeks

Total investment for the entire program (includes everything) = $2,640
An interest-free payment plan is available.

testimonials

What participants say.

Social Skills

Research shows improving social skills and having even just 1-2 close friendships can:

  • Increase self-esteem, confidence and independence
  • Decrease the likelihood of depression and anxiety linked to loneliness
  • Minimise the occurrence of bullying.

Here are the key benefits of our PEERS® program DELIVERED VIA ZOOM

Benefits of PEERS® online learning

As education shifts online, many families are experiencing the benefits of virtual learning, particularly for social skills programs. With the exception of our Self-Paced Program, PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is delivered live via Zoom and is a proven intervention designed to enhance the social interactions and relationships of youth and adults who experience social challenges. Online learning is particularly beneficial for people with autism, ADHD and social anxiety - for the reasons outlined below.

  • Participants can join sessions from their own homes, a familiar and comfortable environment. This often results in lower anxiety levels, allowing them to focus better on learning and practicing new social skills.

  • The online format eliminates the need for travel, making it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules. It also provides access to high-quality social skills training for participants in rural or remote areas who might otherwise miss out.

  • Without the barriers of commuting or health-related absences, participants are more likely to attend regularly. This consistent participation is crucial for skill development and retention.

  • Participants often feel more at ease and are more willing to engage in discussions, role-plays, and activities when they're in a setting that feels safe and controlled.

  • While the lessons are delivered online, the application of these skills happens in real-life settings. Participants practice what they've learned with their social coaches, during phone calls with peers, and within their local communities. This dual approach ensures that they are well-prepared to navigate social interactions in any environment.

  • Online sessions allow for greater involvement of parents or social coaches, who can observe and support their child's progress more closely. This collaborative approach reinforces the skills being taught and helps integrate them into daily life.

  • The online format offers greater flexibility for families. It can accommodate varying schedules and allows for families to watch role play videos in their own time if sessions are missed, ensuring that participants don't miss out on crucial learning opportunities.

  • The curriculum of the 14-week PEERS Program allows for active, real-time engagement via Zoom. Participants engage in discussions, watch role-play videos, and practice their conversation skills with each other in real time. The interactive and supportive environment is maintained through Zoom, ensuring everyone feels part of the group.

Autism, anxiety, and social challenges can make life hard for adolescents, and families often need extra support.

Social Skills

Is PEERS® the right program for your adolescent or young adult?

PEERS® is right if they:

  • Are aged between 13-17 years or 18-35 years
  • Have social challenges
  • Want to participate in the program and learn new skills
  • Can commit to attending the sessions consistently
  • Have a parent/family member/teacher/support worker who is willing to participate as their social coach (optional for the Young Adult program).

three-step process

Enrolment in PEERS®
is a simple three-step process.

Step 01
Intake interviews

  • Book an informal, confidential 15-minute phone chat to assess suitability for the program and to answer any questions you may have.
  • If you want to enrol, we will meet with your young person one-on-one (usually on Zoom) to make sure PEERS® is a good fit and your young person feels comfortable with the program.
  • This is to ensure the best possible outcome for your adolescent or young adult.

Step 02
Enrolment Paperwork and Payment

  • You will then be sent the enrolment paperwork to complete and return, along with a link for payment.
  • An interest-free payment plan is available with Afterpay.
  • Upon receipt of your completed enrolment paperwork and payment, your young person's place in the program is confirmed.

    • Step 03
    Welcome and Commencement

    • Before the first session, you and your young person will receive a welcome email including all the zoom links and materials.
    • Then each week, you will continue to be sent everything they need for each session.

    about The Coach

    Hi, I'm

    Christine O'Leary,

    and I'm a Social Coach

    I’m a Certified PEERS® Provider in Australia and a fellow parent of adolescents with social challenges myself - and I’m here to help!


    I help adolescents, young adults and adults with autism, ADHD, and other social challenges to make and keep friends and learn important social skills through relaxed and fun small group sessions, both online and in person.

    PEERS® & NDIS Participants

    Payment in full is required before program commencement, however you may be able to seek reimbursement from the NDIS if you are self-managed. It is important to check your own individual funding options.

    Where does PEERS come from?

    Dr Elizabeth Laugeson, developed PEERS®

    An Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioural Sciences at UCLA (University of California) Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour.

    More than x30 peer-reviewed studies demonstrate the efficacy of this course - with teens consistently showing improvement on every measure of social skills and social engagement - as well as reduced problem behaviours, related social difficulties and social anxiety.

    The gains are maintained well after the course has ended - a finding attributed to the involvement of a social coach, which can be a parent, another family member, a teacher or a support worker.


    Support

    I know what it’s like to have an adolescent or young adult who is vulnerable to bullying, depression, and anxiety...

    I know that, as a parent, it can be really worrying. And it can be hard to know what to do as there are very few support programs out there for teens and young adults. I’ve seen for myself the difference this program can make, and my passion is to share everything I’ve learned with other families.

    we got answers

    Frequently asked questions.

    • PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills training program designed to improve social interactions for individuals with autism, ADHD, and other social challenges. It focuses on teaching practical skills for building and maintaining friendships and relationships.

    • Our programs are open to adolescents, adults, and parents. We tailor our courses to meet the needs of individuals with social challenges, including those on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, or experiencing other social difficulties - but anyone who needs help with social skills is welcome to enrol.

    • Our PEERS® courses typically run for 14 weeks. We also offer a Self-Paced Start Anytime PEERS course that allows you to progress at your own pace.

    • Yes, parental involvement is highly encouraged in our PEERS® programs. Parents often serve as social coaches, reinforcing the skills taught during the sessions. For the 14-week programs parents have their own coaching sessions each week.

    • Once you enrol, you’ll receive Zoom links ahead of the first live session and login details to access the course notes and role play videos online. You have lifetime access to the course notes and role play videos so you can keep revisiting the content long after the 14-week program is complete. For the Self-Paced PEERS® course, you’ll instantly receive full access to the all of the lesson videos, PDFs, and other resources.

    • Participants and parents are encouraged to ask questions during weekly sessions and you will receive direct coaching and feedback throughout each session. Parent can also book 1:1 sessions with course facilitators to ensure your young person receives the best possible outcome - we do not charge extra for these sessions, it is included in the course fee. You’ll also have access to our private Facebook forum where you can ask questions and share experiences with other participants. Additionally, for certain courses like the Self-Paced PEERS® program, you receive two 30-minute 1:1 coaching calls with the instructor to address any specific concerns or questions.

    • Yes! If you missed the current round of PEERS®, you can enrol in the very next intake as our enrolments are always open. It’s a good idea to enrol early as spaces are strictly limited and our groups fill quickly. If you would prefer to start a course straight away - our Self-Paced Start Anytime PEERS® course could be a good fit for you. This allows you to start the program at your convenience.

    • Yes, our programs are suitable for NDIS participants if you are Self-Managed, provided our program is a good fit with your NDIS goals. We require payment in full before program commencement, however you may be able to seek reimbursement from the NDIS if you are self-managed. It is important to check your own individual funding options.

    • We do not offer refunds for any of our courses. Please ensure you’re committed to the program before enrolling.

    • The online format of our courses, combined with the flexibility of accessing materials at your convenience, helps promote consistent attendance. Participants attend one 90-minute session each week for the 14-week program. We also provide tools and reminders to help you stay on track.

    • We deliver our sessions online as it offers the benefit of reduced anxiety for participants, greater convenience, and more focused learning. The virtual format allows participants to engage deeply with the material in a comfortable setting.

    • After enrolling in one of our courses, you will receive an invitation to join our private Facebook forum, where you can connect with other participants, ask questions, and share your experiences.

    • We offer introductory videos and sample lessons on our website, so you can get a feel for the course content and structure before making a commitment. We also share with you the breakdown of topics per week. https://www.socialskillsaustralia.com.au/sample-content

    Help your adolescent or young adult make and keep friends.

    PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills training program for adolescents and young adults with autism, ADHD, social anxiety and other social challenges.

    Delivered Over 14 Weeks

    Fully Online - Easy To Join From Anywhere

    90-Minute Coaching & Development Sessions

    Use your NDIS Funding if Self-Managed