PEERS®Programs.

PEERS®

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is world-renowned for providing evidence-based social skills programs for neurodiverse individuals. PEERS Programs include programs from preschoolers to young adults with social challenges.

s

g

u

z

d

g

s

r

PEERS® is scientifically proven, having been developed through years of clinical studies at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.PEERS® has been shown to be effective in autistic individuals and individuals with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

Strength-based skills training

Evidence-based approaches

PEERS® is a structured, manualized program that is accessible and adaptable for individuals with social challenges. PEERS can be delivered both in a clinic or a center-based setting, schools and community settings. PEERS consists of pre-school, teen or young adult sessions conducted alongside parent/caregiver sessions - with a core focus on enhancing relational skills.

Dr Elizabeth Laugeson,Psy.D.
Founder and Director of PEERS®.

Clinical Background
Learn more

Research background
Read more

Clinical Faculty Lead

Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and is a licensed clinical psychologist. She serves as Director of the UCLA Tarjan Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and is the Founding Director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic, which provides parent and caregiver assisted social skills programs for individuals from preschool to adulthood.

Meet the Faculty Team

our mission

Powering breakthroughs.

We work at the intersection of research and real-world change. Our goal is simple: transform research to real world skills to enhance outcomes for neurodiverse individuals.

Development of programs for neurodiverse individuals across the lifespan.

Provide evidence-based approaches that are applied systemically - including family, education and employment.

Design approaches that are accessible, adaptable and scalable to meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals.

Design research inclusive of neurodivergent focus groups to garner experiential insights.

Learn more about our goals

o

e

PEERS® Certified Trainings delivered by UCLA.

Get in touch

Approaches in neurodiversity are evolving—we're evolving with it. We are researchers, clinicians, and educators collaborating to change the model of services and supports.

e

b

PEERS® Focus

We focus on building strengths, scaffolding self-determinism, celebrating neurodiversity and co-creating meaningful lives with individuals, but without ignoring or dismissing the real problems or issues that people experience..

Learn more

e

b

PEERS® Approach

Enhancing developmental growth through empirically proven approaches is key, and implementation should evolve within a collaborative partnership with the individual. Also entering into a co-collaborative partnership should be one of choice for the individual.

Learn more

e

b

PEERS® Core Aim

Our core aim is to co-facilitate best possible outcomes that align with the individual’s values without a desire to change unique qualities.

Learn more

e

b

PEERS® Program Snapshot

The PEERS social skills program utilizes strategies such as direct didactic instruction, role-play to learn new skills, and increased awareness and management of cognitions that enable development of friendships, improved conversational skills, skills to enter and exit group interactions, and to handle disagreements.

Learn more

"“Attending the PEERS Conference was a deeply enriching experience that expanded both my knowledge and passion for the field. As a psychology graduate and aspiring researcher, I found the presentations by Professor Laugeson—from cutting-edge research to practical clinical applications—incredibly valuable."

Ellen Rao, Developmental Psychologist, Expansive Minds

Attendee Stories

PEERS® Programmes