Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The PEERS Treatment Manual

This is a guidebook for families of high-functioning teens and college students on the autism spectrum, and the students. The tips are timeless and span all ages.It was published as a manual for psychologists and counselors, but it has broader applications. It’s chock-full of valuable, practical information for families, too. I strongly recommend it for 1) families who aren’t within geographical reach of a creditable formal program, 2) students who can’t afford the programs offered by some colleges, or 3) parents who have found local educational and private services lacking. Let’s face it; we have limited resources in many parts of this country. This manual, written by academics with solid, clinical experience, is available everywhere. And they have published companion volumes for adolescents and young adults.If you’re on the spectrum, you know how satisfying it is to enroll for a degree and be able to plan your next years in one sitting. Having a social life is messier and full of unexpected situations, but the authors have mapped out many suggestions. Consider this as a syllabus with answers, including how to have two-way conversations, entering and exiting conversations, how to show good sportsmanship, finding a new crowd, dealing with teasing, bullying, rejection and gossip, and more. These skills also apply for those transitioning to a job.Teens, young adults: I recommend reading this in high school and/or college and using it as a guidebook. Take advantage of family feedback and support while living at home. Academics are important, but we all want to have a social life in college and in the workplace. These are exactly the situations and conversations everyone runs into. This manual will prove more valuable than many textbooks because it contains social skill guidance that will last a lifetime. (Of course, you might see if you can find a friendly someone who's trustworthy to review the chapters with.)Parents: We will always be a powerful influence and our support doesn’t end with college enrollment. Where do our kids spend most of their day when not in class or studying? In unstructured settings. And who is better qualified to coach than those who have already made every mistake in the book? That would be us. Consider browsing a chapter each week and the tips for parents. Daily conversations with offspring are optimal for subtly slipping in guidance.The authors are Elizabeth Laugeson, PsyD, and Fred Frankel, PhD and ABPP, both of the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. They credit family participation as integral to their research.This was a personal purchase - we live in a city but have found limited and uneven educational resources.

This is an excellent program to help teens make friends. It is by far the best resource out there and can be easily adapted for individual use as well!

This book is great for developing a program that was developed by UCLA to help children who lack social skills. It basically lays out everything very clearly and in laymans terms. This program has already been a success at UCLA so if you're thinking about creating a program like this at your school or work, this book could work for you.

Outstanding book, but for the best effect, special needs teens and their parents should take the course, not just read the book. This is the best information available for teens on the spectrum and with other disorders.

Interesting.

just got started and very excited about the possibilities.

Very thorough and descriptive lesson plans for students and their parents. Not really appropriate for freshmen in college and beyond.

The the content of book is great! I use it to run a social skills group at my work. However, the quality of the binding is faulty. After using it for just two months, it’s already beginning to fall apart.

Fast delivery and item came as described. No complaints.

Great item, speedy delivery and good packaging, thank you.

For kids with anxiety who have been isolated from many social opportunities, this manual helps kids practice the skills to give them confidence in social situations.

This book is really helpful if you are raising teenagers that are on the spectrum. It gives you very ensightful information.