PEERS® Self-Paced Dating Intensive

This Dating Intensive is open to all 16 years+ who want to understand how to make and sustain adult relationships. Enrolments are always open. You are able to go through the course in your own time and at your own pace.

Stands for Program for the Enrichment and Education of Relational Skills

An evidence-based social skills training program that may be appropriate for young adults and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression or other social challenges. It was developed by Dr Elizabeth Laugeson at the University of California in 2004.

PEERS® was featured on the Netflix show, Love on the Spectrum.

The PEERS® Program

the program

self - paced dating intensive

Our Self-Paced Dating Intensive is based on the highly acclaimed PEERS® social skills program.

Over 20+ lessons we will provide you with the tools needed for successful dating.

Topics covered:

  • Conversational skills
  • Letting someone know you like them
  • Flirting
  • Choosing appropriate people to date
  • Online dating
  • Asking someone on a date
  • Accepting rejection
  • Turning someone down
  • Planning and going on dates
  • Relationship boundaries
  • Handling pressure from partners
  • Following up after a date

Participants must be independently motivated to participate in this course and able to access all the lessons and resources. Participants may choose to attend each session with a social coach. Social coaches are also provided with two social coaching webinars. Having a social coach is preferred but not required.

Our lessons are rules-based and easy to follow, teaching targeted social skills through didactic instruction and role-play demonstrations. Participants will have the opportunity to practice newly-learned skills in a safe and supportive environment.

look inside

Self-Paced Dating Intensive Overview.

  • Open to all 16 years+.
  • 20+ self-paced video lessons
  • Presenter: Christine O'Leary, Founder of Social Skills Australia and Certified PEERS® Provider
  • PDF handouts and a downloadable workbook
  • Two 30-minute 1:1 coaching calls
  • Access to a private support forum
  • Webinars for parents/social coaches where they will be taught to coach the participant through practice and constructive feedback

the Program

Self-Paced Dating Intensive

Learn the skills to navigate dating with confidence, clarity, and respect – in your own time and at your own pace.

PEERS® Dating Intensive

Our Self-Paced PEERS® Dating Intensive is a step-by-step online course that guides you through the entire dating process, from meeting someone new to planning successful dates and handling rejection kindly and confidently.

This evidence-based course is grounded in the world-renowned PEERS® for Dating curriculum, developed by Dr Elizabeth Laugeson at UCLA, and tailored for neurodivergent individuals (16+) seeking real-world strategies in a supportive, affirming way.

The investment

Self-Paced Dating Intensive Investment

The cost of this Self-Paced Dating Intensive is $495 (incl GST) per enrolee to be paid in advance.

The registration fee also includes two social coaching webinars to assist parents/caregivers to support the participant throughout the program and beyond.

We do not process refunds for our Dating Intensives, all transactions are final.

Total Investment:

$495

Registration fee for one attendee and two social coaching webinars, including GST.

testimonials

What participants say.

Social challenges can make life hard for adolescents and young adults, and families often need extra support.

Social Skills

about The Coach

Hi, I'm

Christine O'Leary,

and I'm a Social Coach

I’m 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.

is this for you

Is the PEERS® Dating Intensive right for you?

PEERS® is right if you:

  • Are aged 16 years or older
  • Have social challenges
  • Want to participate in the program and learn new skills
  • Have a parent/family member/support worker who is willing to participate as your social coach (preferred but not required).

Learn the skills to navigate dating with confidence, clarity, and respect – in your own time and at your own pace.

Peers

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.


For more information on PEERS®, check out this video by the Founder and Director of the UCLA PEERS® Clinic and the developer of PEERS®, Dr Elizabeth Laugeson.

Watch Video

PEERS® & NDIS Participants.

The PEERS® Program suits most NDIS Plans. NDIS funding can be used if your family is self-managed or plan-managed.

NDIS Information:

*NOTE: It is important to check your own individual funding options.

we got answers

Frequently asked questions.

  • We offer a range of programs tailored to different age groups and needs. Below is a list of our key programs and their associated costs:

    • 14-Week Program for Adolescents and Young Adults:

      • Price: $2,640incl GST (or $188.57 per week x 14 weeks)

      • Overview: This comprehensive program spans 14 weeks and is designed to help adolescents and young adults develop crucial social skills, including conversation techniques, managing social interactions, and building friendships.

    • Over 30s Workshop:

      • Price: $550 (Full one-day registration fee for one attendee, including GST)

      • Overview: A one-day intensive workshop for individuals over 30, focusing on refining social skills, improving communication, and navigating social relationships in adulthood.

    • Boot Camps:

      • Price: $869 (Includes full 2-day registration fee for one attendee - one accompanying parent attends for FREE)

      • Overview: These bootcamps are designed to provide concentrated social skills training over two days. They include hands-on activities, role-playing, and real-world practice to reinforce the skills taught.

    • PEERS® 4-Week Dating Intensive:

      • Price: $869 (Includes full 4-week registration fee for one attendee and two social coaching webinars, including GST)

      • Overview: This intensive course runs for four weekly 2-hour sessions, focusing on dating skills such as initiating conversations, asking someone on a date, and handling rejection. It also includes two parent coaching webinars to support participants.

  • 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.

  • Program durations vary depending on the specific course. 

    Our Dating Intensive is a 4-week program, while 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. Bootcamps are 2-day full days on a weekend and our Over 30’s Workshop is a one day program

  • Yes, parental involvement is highly encouraged, especially 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. For the Dating Intensive, parents receive coaching webinars to support their child’s progress.For Bootcamps parents are FREE to join.

  • Once you enroll in a course, you’ll receive login details to access the materials online or via email. For the Self-Paced PEERS® course, you’ll have access to the videos, PDFs, and other resources.

  • Participants are encouraged to ask questions during weekly sessions. 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 our Self-Paced Start Anytime PEERS® course, which will be available starting October 1, 2024. This allows you to start the program at your convenience.

  • Yes, our programs are suitable for NDIS participants, depending on their plan. Please check with your NDIS provider to ensure coverage.

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

  • You can schedule your two 30-minute coaching calls through our Calendly link at any time within 4 months of purchasing the course. These sessions are conducted via Zoom.

  • 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.

  • The online PEERS® course offers the same evidence-based curriculum as our in-person sessions, with the added benefits 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. If you want more practical and proven benefits of PEERS® online please click here. https://www.socialskillsaustralia.com.au/blog

  • 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

are you ready

Register now to book your FREE discovery call and find out if the PEERS® Program is right for you.