Benefits of PEERS® Online

As more educational programs move online, many families wonder about the effectiveness of virtual learning, especially for social skills programs.

PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills intervention designed to improve the social interactions and relationships of youth and adults with autism and other social challenges. 

While the program's effectiveness in in-person settings is well-established, recent research highlights the benefits and efficacy of delivering PEERS® online. 

At Social Skills Australia, we've seen firsthand how beneficial the online PEERS® program is - even more so than in-person sessions.  It is for these reasons that our programs are now offered exclusively online via Zoom.

Here are the key benefits of our online PEERS® program:

1. Reduced Anxiety and Increased Comfort

Participants can join sessions from their own home, a familiar and comfortable environment. This often results in lower anxiety levels and higher levels of participation, allowing better focus on learning and practicing new social skills.

2. Convenience and Accessibility

The online format eliminates the need for travel, making it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules. It also provides access to high-quality social skills training for participants in rural or remote areas who might otherwise miss out.

3. Consistency in Attendance

Without the barriers of commuting or health-related absences, participants are more likely to attend regularly. This consistent participation is crucial for skill development and retention.

4. Less Distractions

Online sessions can minimise the distractions often found in a physical classroom setting, such as other participants' behaviors or environmental noise, leading to a more focused learning experience.

5. Better Engagement

Participants often feel more at ease and are more willing to engage in discussions, role-plays, and activities when they're in a setting that feels safe and controlled.

6. Comprehensive Learning Experience

The curriculum remains identical to that of in-person sessions. Participants still engage in the same discussions, watch the same role-play videos, and practice their conversation skills with each other in the weekly sessions (and in telephone calls to each other outside of the weekly sessions). The interactive and supportive environment of the PEERS® program is maintained through Zoom, ensuring everyone feels part of the group.

7. Holistic Practice Opportunities

While the lessons are delivered online, the application of these skills happens in real-life settings and this is irrespective of how the lesson was delivered. Participants practice what they've learned with each other in the weekly sessions, with their social coaches at home during the week, during phone calls with other participants in the group during the week, and within their local communities. This dual approach ensures that they are well-prepared to navigate social interactions in any environment - not just in the classroom setting.

8. Parental Involvement and Support

Online sessions allow for greater involvement of parents or social coaches, who proactively join weekly social coaching sessions online as well as participate in supporting their child's progress though practice of newly learned skills during the week. Parents are taught how to be their child’s social coach, assisting with practice opportunities and providing constructive feedback. This collaborative approach reinforces the skills being taught and helps integrate them into daily life.

9. Flexibility

The online format offers greater flexibility for families. It can accommodate varying schedules and allows for content to be reviewed at leisure, ensuring that participants don't miss out on crucial learning opportunities.

Overall, the PEERS® online program offers a robust and effective solution for developing essential social skills. It combines the convenience and comfort of home-based learning with the proven methods of the PEERS® curriculum, resulting in a highly effective and accessible program for all participants.