PEERS® for Preschoolers

This manual builds on the success of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®), an internationally renowned program used in over 150 countries and translated into numerous languages. PEERS® has now expanded to work with autistic and neurodivergent preschool-aged children, as well as those with other social challenges. Through this new manual, providers will learn about important skills to enhance positive peer interactions and friendship development for young children, how to structure sessions and encourage skill-building effectively, and how to educate and empower parents to be valuable social coaches for their children. Every chapter includes a therapist guide for each session and parent resources such as lessons, homework, handouts, worksheets, and social coaching play cards. This latest edition to the PEERS® program is ideal for professionals and educators who provide social-emotional therapeutic services and support to young children (between the ages of four to six years) diagnosed with autism or other social challenges.

Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is a licensed clinical psychologist, Clinical Professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and Director of the UCLA PEERS® Clinic and UCLA Tarjan Center UCEDD. Dr. Mina Park is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, a former Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSF. Dr. Jennifer Sanderson is a licensed clinical psychologist in Miami, Florida. She currently directs the Autism Clinic within a private practice, providing psychological and consultative services across the lifespan.

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Session 1: Listening and Following Directions Chapter 3 Session 2: Meeting and Greeting Friends Chapter 4 Session 3: Sharing and Giving a Turn Chapter 5 Session 4: Asking for a Turn Chapter 6 Session 5: Keeping Cool Chapter 7 Session 6: Being a Good Sport Chapter 8 Session 7: Show and Tell During Play Chapter 9 Session 8: Don't be Bossy Chapter 10 Session 9: Asking a Friend to Play Chapter 11 Session 10: Joining a Game Chapter 12 Session 11: Asking to Play Something Different Chapter 13 Session 12: Asking and Giving Help Chapter 14 Session 13: Body Boundaries Chapter 15 Session 14: Using an Inside Voice Chapter 16 Session 15: Review Part I Chapter 17 Session 16: Review Part II and Graduation