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Online Social Skills Programs Offer Lifeline for Anxious Young People with Autism and ADHD

9 December 2025 | Queensland

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Social Skills Australia addresses critical gap in mental health care with evidence-based PEERS programs delivered online...

As mental health professionals internationally highlight the challenges faced by anxious young people with autism and ADHD, an Australian provider is demonstrating how innovative online delivery can overcome one of the most significant barriers to treatment.

Key Points:

• Autism affects 1 in 31 Australian children

• 70% experience co-occurring conditions including anxiety disorders

• Online PEERS programs remove anxiety barrier to accessing help

• Evidence-based curriculum with proven outcomes

Media Contact: Christine O'Leary, Founder 0407 660 424 christine@socialskillsaustralia.com.au

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FULL RELEASE:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online Social Skills Programs Offer Lifeline for Anxious Young People with Autism and ADHD

Social Skills Australia addresses critical gap in mental health care with evidence-based PEERS programs delivered online.

Queensland – Dec 9, 2025 9:30 AM GMT+10 – As mental health professionals internationally highlight the challenges faced by anxious young people with autism and ADHD, an Australian provider is demonstrating how innovative online delivery can overcome one of the most significant barriers to treatment.

Recent commentary from US psychiatric specialists has drawn attention to a critical catch-22 in neurodevelopmental care: young people who are too anxious to leave their homes cannot access the very social skills interventions they desperately need. Social Skills Australia, a Certified PEERS Provider, has been successfully addressing this challenge through evidence-based online programs specifically designed for young people struggling with social anxiety and isolation.

With autism now affecting 1 in 31 Australian children and approximately 70% of autistic individuals experiencing co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, the need for accessible social skills intervention has never been more urgent. 

Christine O’Leary, Founder and Owner of Social Skills Australia and a Certified PEERS Provider, says traditional face-to-face group programs, while valuable, often remain out of reach for the most vulnerable young people.

"We recognised early on that the young people who need social skills support the most are often the ones least able to walk into a physical group setting," said Ms. O’Leary.

"Anxiety isn't just a co-occurring condition – it's often the primary barrier preventing young people from accessing help. Our online PEERS programs remove that barrier while maintaining the same evidence-based curriculum and proven outcomes."

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a research-validated social skills intervention developed at UCLA with more than 20 years of peer-reviewed studies demonstrating its effectiveness. Social Skills Australia delivers the complete PEERS curriculum via secure online platforms, allowing participants to develop crucial social competencies from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

"What we're seeing is that young people who would never have made it through the door of a physical clinic are thriving in our online format," Christine explained. 

"They're learning conversation skills, how to make and keep friends, handle peer conflict, and navigate social media – all while building the confidence that eventually helps many of them engage more fully in their communities."

The online delivery model offers several distinct advantages for neurodivergent young people:

• Reduced sensory overwhelm from travel and unfamiliar environments

• Elimination of social anxiety associated with entering new physical spaces

• Access to support regardless of geographic location or mobility challenges

• Ability to participate from a safe, controlled environment

• Greater flexibility for families managing complex schedules and multiple therapies

Social Skills Australia's programs serve young people across the autism and ADHD spectrum, including those with co-occurring anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. The organisation works collaboratively with psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and schools to provide integrated care.

"We're not replacing mental health treatment – we're providing the practical social skills foundation that allows young people to apply what they're learning in therapy to real-world relationships," said Christine. "When a young person masters the mechanics of how to start a conversation or join a group activity, it gives them concrete tools to challenge their anxiety rather than avoid social situations entirely."

As awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions continues to grow and demand for specialised services outstrips supply, Social Skills Australia's online model offers a scalable, evidence-based solution that meets young people where they are – both literally and developmentally.

ENDS

About Social Skills Australia

Social Skills Australia is a Certified PEERS Provider delivering evidence-based social skills programs to young people with autism, ADHD, and related conditions across Australia. As a specialist provider of the UCLA-developed PEERS curriculum, Social Skills Australia offers comprehensive programs for teens, young adults, and parents through accessible online delivery. Founded by Christine O’Leary, the organisation is committed to ensuring all young people can access the social skills support they need to build meaningful relationships and participate fully in their communities.

For more information, interviews, or program details:

Christine O’Leary

Founder and Owner, Social Skills Australia

0407 660 424

christine@socialskillsaustralia.com.au

https://socialskillsaustralia.com.au

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Notes to Editors:

• The PEERS program is an evidence-based social skills intervention developed at UCLA with proven effectiveness for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and other social challenges

• Recent ABS data shows autism now affects 1 in 31 children, with approximately 70% experiencing co-occurring psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders

• Research indicates that approximately 40-50% of young people with autism also exhibit ADHD symptoms

• Social Skills Australia offers PEERS programs for teens (ages 11-17) and young adults (ages 18+), along with concurrent parent/caregiver programs

Key Statistics:

• Autism prevalence in Australia: Approximately 1 in 70 people (ABS, 2023)

• Co-occurring psychiatric conditions in autism: Approximately 70% of autistic individuals

• ADHD prevalence: 7-9% of Australian children and adolescents

• Overlap: 40-50% of autistic young people also have ADHD characteristics