PEERS for Preschoolers

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS^®) for Preschoolers is a 16-week empirically-supported, parent-assisted social skills treatment program for young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who have difficulty in their peer interactions and friendships.

During each group session, children are taught fundamental play and social skills through a live puppet show, followed by a range of games and activities designed to rehearse newly learned skills and reinforce skill development in a naturalistic setting.

Parents simultaneously attend separate sessions and are taught how to help their children make and keep friends. To maximize parent training, each session includes parent-coached play, consisting of mock play dates between group members, during which parents receive performance feedback from the treatment team on their social coaching.

Enrollment is limited. Classes are on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 pm at UCLA. Group instruction is provided in English. Regular attendance is imperative. Parent participation is required.

*The next round of PEERS for Preschoolers is tentatively scheduled to begin in late October 2015. Spaces are still available! Please call 310-267-3377 or email peersclinic@ucla.edu to begin the enrollment process.

• Listen and follow directions
• Ask for and use friends’ names
• Greet friends
• Share and give turns to friends
• Ask for turns during play
• Cool down when upset during play
• Be flexible, cooperative during play
• Be a good sport
• Sustain play through commenting
• Ask friends to play
• Join ongoing game play
• Transition to new play activities
• Ask for help and help friends
• Maintain appropriate body boundaries

UCLA PEERS Facebook Page - more information on the UCLA PEERS Clinic can be found at www.facebook.com/uclapeers

In order to participate, children must:

• Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Be between the ages of 4 to 6 years
• Speak consistently and flexibly in phrases or sentences of 4 or more words
• Not have any significant behavioral problems (e.g., aggression)

1. Call our office at 310-267-3377 to complete a 20-minute phone screen with a member of our staff, and subsequently receive an enrollment packet.
2. Complete and return your enrollment packet.
3. Parent and child come to UCLA for a 1-hour intake appointment with one of our clinicians to determine if our program is appropriate for you and your child.