The PEERS Clubs for friendships and relationships include:
PEERS for Preschoolers Club
- Adapted version whilst waiting for UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) to release their research. 16 session program for 3-6 year olds.
Super-friends Club
- UCLA’s evidence-based Children’s Friendship Training. 10 session program for 6-12 year olds.
Social Detective Club
- Social Thinking Methodology and Zones of Regulation. 10 session program for 6-12 year olds.
PEERS for Adolescents Club
- UCLA’s evidence-based 14 session program with a bonus session and 4 optional dating skills sessions for 13-17 year olds.
PEERS for Young Adults Club
- UCLA’s evidence-based 16 session program with a bonus session for 18-35 year olds.
PEERS for Dating Club
- Adapted version whilst waiting for UCLA to release their research and program. 16 session program for 18-35 year olds.
Sessions vary in duration from 1 to 1.5 hours and can be attended in person and/or online in varying formats. The programs require the involvement of a Social Coach (ie parent/carer/mentor) to attend at least part of the sessions with the young person.
The programs involve fun activities to be completed between sessions to practice the skills learnt.
Skills are taught through interactive content, role play demonstrations (including puppets and figurines for younger kids) and socialisation activities.
Learn about:
- Developing and maintaining friendships
- Using social media and online platforms (for teens and young adults)
- Conversation skills; appropriate use of humour
- Friendship skills
- Organising get-togethers
- Conflict resolution; handling disagreements
- Good sportsmanship
- Changing a bad reputation
- Handling teasing and direct/indirect bullying
- Dating etiquette (optional for teens and included for young adults)
- Additional session on time use, goals, values and interests to assist with considering suitable extra-curricular activities to practice skills.
Therapy assistants are available to generalise skills learnt during clubs to the everyday environment.