The Program for the Education & Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS)
Are you or someone you know diagnosed with autism and struggles with social skills and anxiousness when participating in social settings? Do you or someone you know find it difficult to find and maintain meaningful connection with others? Or maybe you or this person is simply looking to meet a love interest and want to develop the skills to pursue it?
If you've answered YES to any of the above, enrolling in PEERS is the next step to learning the social skills required to be a confident, happy and engaging person that everyone will want to hang out with. You never know, you may even land that dream boat you've been searching for!
- Small class sizes for a more personalised approach (max 10 students)
- Participants are matched on their learning abilities
- All training provided by a certified practitioner
- Classes are delivered face to face or online
- Class dates are in line with school calendar year
- Parents and/or support staff are included in the training program at no extra cost
To register your interest or to find out more, click the link, contact us or read the further information below.
Areas of Focus
TEENS WILL LEARN HOW TO:
- Use appropriate conversational skills
- Use humour appropriately
- Use electronic communication
- Enter & exit conversations
- Be a good host during get-togethers
- Be a good sport
- Handle arguments and disagreements
- Change a bad reputation
- Handle rumours and gossip
- Handle rejection, teasing and bullying
IN ADDITION TO THE TEENS PROGRAM, YOUNG ADULTS WILL LEARN:
- Conversational Skills
- Appropriate Use of Humour
- Electronic Communication
- Handling Direct and Indirect Bullying
- Handling Arguments & Disagreements
- Organizing Get-Togethers with Friends
- Dating Skills
- Strategies for Handling Sexual Pressure
PEERS is an evidence based social skills group specifically designed for people on the spectrum, to learn the skills required to make and keep friends.
PEERS was developed by Dr. Liz Laugeson in the US, with Elena our head OT being officially certified to deliver the training in Australia. Evidence shows that participants who have participated in this training have made and maintained long term social connections up to five years post course completion. Evidence also shows that having 1 or 2 close friends predicts better adjustment in life, can buffer the impact of stressful life events, correlates positively with social inclusion, and correlates negatively with depression and anxiety. The group operates with participants in one group with a facilitator learning the rules for socialising with videos and in group practice. Their support person, or coach, will be in another group with a facilitator, learning how to coach them on the specific skills taught. These groups run simultaneously and homework tasks are set to practice these skills outside the group with their social coach supporting.
Each group is formed by matching participants' age range and learning capacity to ensure a successful outcome. The age groups are 11-16 years and 17 years and older.
Classes are delivered either face-to-face or online. Face to Face groups are held in community centres in the East, West and North of Melbourne pending enough interest from attendees.
We ask for interested and motivated participants to read the attached brochure below and fill out the expression of interest form below to secure a spot in the group. Once completed, please email your EOI form to alliedhealth@superbia.net.au.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Elena the Occupational Therapist on
0431 227 912