Help your adolescent make and keep friends.

For adolescents with autism, ADHD and other social challenges.

Stands for Program for the Enrichment and Education of Relational Skills

An evidence-based social skills training program for adolescents, young adults and adults with social challenges. It was developed by Dr Elizabeth Laugeson at the University of California in 2004.

The PEERS® Program

the program

what is peers

PEERS® is delivered over 16 weeks of 90-minute sessions, covering topics such as:

  • Developing and maintaining friendships
  • Entering and exiting conversations
  • Appropriate use of humour
  • Being a good sport
  • Changing a bad reputation
  • Conversational skills
  • Electronic communication
  • Organising get-togethers
  • Handling disagreements
  • Handling teasing and bullying

PEERS® teaches social skills through didactic lessons and role-play demonstrations, with students practising these skills during group behaviour rehearsal activities.

Social Skills

Research shows improving social skills and having even just 1-2 close friendships can:

  • Increase self-esteem, confidence and independence
  • Decrease the likelihood of depression and anxiety linked to loneliness
  • Minimise the occurrence of bullying.

Autism, anxiety, and social challenges can make life hard for adolescents, and families often need extra support.

Social Skills

look inside

Program Overview.

  • Separate groups for adolescents (13-17 years old)
  • Delivered over 16 weeks
  • 90-minute skill development sessions for adolescents
  • 90-minute coaching sessions for social coach (parent, family member, teacher or support worker)
  • Small class format (6-10 participants)

the Program

Next Program - August 2024 Intake

Please note our current groups are FULL.

We are now taking enrolments for August 2024. Spaces are strictly limited and filling fast.

Our PEERS® participants can choose to learn either face-to-face through our in-person sessions on the Sunshine Coast or learn from home from anywhere around Australia via Zoom.

Bully-Proofing Boot Camp 8-9 June 2024

Alternatively, we are currently taking enrolments for our next weekend Boot Camp. Our Bully-Proofing Boot Camp is open to all including teens, young adults and parents.

Saturday - Sunday

8-9 April 2024

9am - 3pm AEST

For more information, visit the Bully-Proofing Boot Camp page of our website.

In-person Programs

We offer in-person sessions for adolescents located on the Sunshine Coast.

  • Adolescents
    Tuesdays, 13 August - 3 December 2024**
    9.30am-11.00am (Sunshine Coast location)

Virtual Programs

Our virtual Zoom meetings recreate the interpersonal interactions we achieve online - and PEERS® research shows online sessions are just as effective as in-person.

  • Adolescents
    Tuesdays, 13 August - 3 December 2024**
    4.30pm - 6pm (Online via Zoom)
  • Parents/ Social Coaches
    Mondays, 12 August - 2 December 2024**
    7.00pm - 8.30pm (Online via Zoom)

** PEERS will take a one-week break, 14-20 October 2024.

Please visit the Young Adults Program (18-30 years) or Adults Program (30++ years) for more details.

We work very hard to compose the groups with participants who are approximately around the same developmental level, so the program schedule and age groupings are subject to change. It could be that you need to wait longer for a group that is appropriate. As we get close to  the start date of each group, we will send you a confirmation letter with exact dates, times and location. 

The investment

NDIS and Costs.

The investment is $165 per week per family and includes:

  • Intake interviews
  • 90 min adolescent skill development session per week
  • 90 min parent/support worker coaching session per week
  • Weekly handouts/practice at home materials
  • PEERS® App
  • Incentive prizes each week
  • Support throughout the 16-week program

Total Investment: $2,640

16-week program: $165 x 16 weeks

Total investment for the entire program (includes everything) = $2,640
A payment plan is available for non-NDIS participants.**

** Payment plan admin fee applies.

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.

three-step process

Enrolment in PEERS®
is a simple three-step process.

Step 01
Intake interviews

  • Book an informal, confidential 15-minute phone chat with me to assess your adolescent’s suitability for the program and to answer any questions you may have.
  • If you want to enrol, I will meet with you and your adolescent one-on-one (usually online) to make sure PEERS® is a good fit for your adolescent and ensure your adolescent feels comfortable with the program.
  • This is to ensure the best possible outcome for your adolescent.

Step 02
Enrolment Paperwork and Payment

  • You will then be sent the enrolment paperwork to complete and return, along with a link for payment.
  • A payment plan is available for non-NDIS participants.
  • Upon receipt of your completed enrolment paperwork and payment, your adolescent’s spot in the program is confirmed.

Step 03
Welcome and Commencement

  • Before the first session, you and your adolescent will receive a welcome email including all the zoom links and materials.
  • Then each week, your adolescent will continue to be sent everything they need for each session.

is this for you

Is PEERS® the right program for your adolescent?

PEERS® is right if they:

  • Are aged between 13-17 years
  • Have social challenges
  • Want to participate in the program and learn new skills
  • Can commit to attending the sessions consistently
  • Have a parent/family member/teacher/support worker who is willing to participate as their social coach.

Places are limited.
Reach out NOW to secure your spot.

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

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.

Certified
PEERS® Provider

  • Completed the UCLA Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills in the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour at UCLA.
  • Certified PEERS® Provider.

Communication & Public Relations Specialist

  • Specialised skills and advanced knowledge in the communications, media and creative industries.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, GradDip Communication, PR, Advertising, & Applied Communication.

Parenting Support & Consulting

  • Specialising in supporting both individuals and organisations to communicate effectively with others.
  • University-trained and post-graduate qualified communications professional passionate about helping people to communicate well.

Support

I know what it’s like to have an adolescent who is vulnerable to bullying, depression, and anxiety...

I know that, as a parent, it can be really worrying. And it can be hard to know what to do as there are very few support programs out there for adolescents. I’ve seen for myself the difference this program can make, and my passion is to share everything I’ve learned with other families.

testimonials

What participants say.

we got answers

Frequently asked questions.

  • The PEERS® for Adolescents Program is designed specifically for adolescents aged 13-17 years, the PEERS for Young Adults Program is designed for young adults 18-30 years and the PEERS Adult Program is for adults 30+ years.

  • Yes, PEERS® is usually covered by the NDIS. We can accept self-managed and plan-managed NDIS packages. We are not a registered NDIS provider, so we cannot accept NDIA-managed plans. For more, visit the NDIS and Costs page of our website.

  • Yes, you can certainly pay privately for PEERS if you don't have NDIS funding.

  • Absolutely. Many of our PEERS® participants also have anxiety, and we ensure we provide a safe, inclusive space so that everyone can participate as best they can on any given day. We have ample opportunities to make accommodations for everyone so they can participate at a comfortable level while still ensuring new skills are being learnt. We are very experienced and adept at working with adolescents with anxiety.

  • No. Our research shows that the teens’ experience with the PEERS® program is greatly improved through parent participation. However, if you can’t make every parent coaching session - or another family member or support worker needs to fill in for you - we will also make that work.

are you ready

Book your FREE discovery call to find out if the PEERS® Program is right for your adolescent.