Program Details:

• The PEERS® program is an evidence-based program designed for adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18 years with a diagnosis of ASD who are interested and motivated in learning how to make and keep friends, and one or more parents/caregivers.
• We are offering an adapted PEERS® program “Bootcamp”. We plan to select the most relevant and important lessons from the PEERS® program based on your teen’s needs and we will offer two days of learning, discussion, practice, and fun for teens and their parents!
• Fall Bootcamp teen sessions will take place on Saturday October 24, 2020 and Saturday November 7, 2020 from 10am to 4pm (with a lunch break). Parent sessions will take place on Wednesday October 21, 2020 and Wednesday November 4, 2020 at 5:00-6:50 pm.
• Parent participation is mandatory
• Intake procedures include phone intake with parents to determine eligibility and an interview with the teen and parent(s) to determine fit of program to family, as well as completion of questionnaires

What you will learn:

• Lessons involve direct teaching, watching role plays, and practicing behavioural rehearsals
• You will also complete activities (“PEERS® work”), such as video calls with other group members, in between sessions in order to practice what we learn!
• Based on the strengths and needs of the teens, we will select from the following PEERS® topics:
  • choosing appropriate friends
  • conversation skills
  • electronic forms of communication
  • finding common interests by trading information
  • use of humour
  • entering and exiting peer conversations
  • handling teasing and bullying, rumours & gossip
  • how to be a good sport
  • how to handle disagreements
  • having a get together

Who is the Launch Fall PEERS® Bootcamp program for?

• Adolescents aged 13-18 years old, who have difficulty making and keeping friends
• Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1
• Age-appropriate reading and language skills
• Must be interested in and motivated to learn these skills
• Must be willing to participate over video conferencing (Zoom Telehealth meetings)

Program Staff:

• Kerry Wells, C. Psych. supervises the group and will participate in both Teen and Parent sessions
• Laura McCarthy (Teen Group Facilitator)
• Katrina Haug (Behaviour Coach Teen Group)
• Marie Hooper (Parent Group Facilitator)

More information about the PEERS® program can be found at: www.semel.ucla.edu/peers