HOW TO MAKE AND KEEP FRIENDSHIPS:
PEERS ® IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
WITH ASD
Are you (or will you be) a high school student this fall who is:
 Motivated to learn how to make and keep friends?
 Has not required modifications for the Ontario curriculum and can follow course material presented through verbal instruction?
 Has a diagnosis of autism (ASD or Asperger’s for example).
Are you the parent of that teen and are YOU...:
 ...ready to commit to weekly participation in a group that has been proven to improve your child’s success in making and keeping friends?
 ...and your child is ready to take part in a 14-week, evidence-based program that could be available to you for just $280?
PEERS® is a social skills training intervention for adolescents developed at The Semel Institute at
UCLA. It has a strong evidence-base for use with teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders. The curriculum provides motivated participants with ways to help them make and keep friends. During each group session, participants are taught crucial social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills during role-play and play activities.
Parent participation is crucial to the success of the program. They are taught how to assist their son or daughter in making and keeping friends by providing feedback through coaching during weekly socialization homework assignments designed to build on skills practiced in the sessions.
Topics of Instruction:

How to use appropriate conversational skills

How to find common interests by trading information

How to appropriately use humour

How to enter and exit conversations between peers

How to handle rejection, teasing, and bullying

How to handle rumours and gossip

How to be a good host during get-togethers

How to make phone-calls to friends (continued)


How to choose appropriate friends

How to be a good sport

How to handle arguments and disagreements

How to change a bad reputation
Only candidates who meet participation requirements will be eligible for the program. Participation requirements include:

Students who are highly motivated to attend and participate fully in the program.

High school students who have not required modifications for the Ontario curriculum and can following curriculum delivered through verbal instruction.

Those who have difficulties establishing and / or maintaining friendships.

Students who demonstrate emerging social skills, manage emotions in a non-aggressive way, and have a strong interest in building social relationships with peers.

Parents and students who commit to attending all 14 sessions of the program. Students cannot attend without a parent.

Phone screenings and face-to-face interviews to determine suitability for the program.
When will PEERS® Take Place?

Monday, September 21 through Monday, December 21, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m.
Where will PEERS® Take Place?

PEERS® will take place at Kerry’s Place Autism Services in their building; 38 Berczy
Street in Aurora, ON.
What is the cost of PEERS®?

The 14-week program will cost $280.
Who will be facilitating PEERS®?

Thomas Luxemburger, Autism Consultant, Kerry’s Place Autism Services, PEERS®
Certified Facilitator

Maxine Share, Community Autism Consultant, Kerry’s Place Autism Services, PEERS®
Certified Facilitator

PEERS® Coaches will be assisting with the program as well (continued)

How do I register for the PEERS® program?
Registration is accomplished easily through the Kerry’s Place Autism Services Community
Portal. Click here to request consideration for the program: https://secure.kerrysplace.org/community/Programs.aspx?currenttab=Groups&i_loc =
Space in this popular program is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.
Register early if you’d like to be considered for PEERS®.