Choice, Respect, and Neurodiversity in the PEERS® Program
At Social Skills Australia, one of our guiding principles is simple but powerful: connection should never come at the cost of authenticity.
We know that making and keeping friends can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming — especially for people with autism, ADHD, social anxiety, or other social differences. That’s why the PEERS® Program was created: to offer evidence-based strategies for building friendships, navigating social situations, and (when ready) exploring dating.
But here’s something we want to make very clear:
Every strategy we teach is an option, not an obligation.
Valuing Neurodiversity
The PEERS® approach is grounded in the belief that there is no single “right” way to socialise. We:
Value neurodiversity, acceptance, and authenticity.
Honour the diverse ways people experience the world.
Respect each person’s unique perspectives and communication styles.
For us, it’s not about “fixing” anyone. It’s about providing tools, so you can decide which ones feel useful to you.
Why Choice Matters
Some people worry that social skills programs are about “masking” or “camouflaging” — pretending to be someone you’re not in order to fit in. That’s not what PEERS® is about.
We believe:
If a strategy feels like masking, you do not have to use it.
If a strategy doesn’t align with your goals, it’s okay to set it aside.
Learning social skills is about choice, not compliance.
A Personal Toolkit
Think of PEERS® like a toolbox. Inside are practical strategies for things like:
Starting and ending conversations
Handling teasing and bullying
Finding friends with common interests
Navigating group chats and online spaces
Showing interest in dating and relationships
You may find some tools really helpful, while others you might never use. And that’s perfectly okay.
The most important thing is that you remain yourself — confident, authentic, and free to choose.
Respect First, Always
We believe that friendships and relationships work best when built on respect. That includes respecting yourself and your needs.
PEERS® isn’t about teaching you to be someone you’re not. It’s about supporting you to:
Understand social rules if you want to
Practise new skills in a safe environment
Decide for yourself which strategies help you feel more connected
At the heart of everything we do is this: your voice, your choice.
✨ Whether you use one skill, all of them, or none at all — we’ll celebrate your authenticity. Because every way of being is valid.