A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Social Skills in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The UCLA PEERS® Program
Laugeson, E. A., Gantman, A., Kapp, S. K., Orenski, K., & Ellingsen, R. (2015). A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Social Skills in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The UCLA PEERS® Program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3978-3989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2504-8
This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:
Authors
Abstract
Research suggests that impaired social skills are often the most significant challenge for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet few evidence-based social skills interventions exist for adults on the spectrum. This replication trial tested the effectiveness of PEERS, a caregiver-assisted social skills program for high-functioning young adults with ASD. Using a randomized controlled design, 22 young adults 18-24 years of age were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 12) or delayed treatment control (n = 10) group. Results revealed that the treatment group improved significantly in overall social skills, frequency of social engagement, and social skills knowledge, and significantly reduced ASD symptoms related to social responsiveness following PEERS. Most treatment gains were maintained at a 16-week follow-up assessment with new improvements observed.
Bibliography cited by this reference
Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.
Bibliography inclusion overview
These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.
-
Samantha Marriage , Annie Wolverton , Keith Marriage (2009). Autism spectrum disorder grown up: a chart review of adult functioning. PubMed, 18(4), 322-8.Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W91886917OpenAlex
-
Gena P. Barnhill (2007). Outcomes in Adults With Asperger Syndrome . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(2), 116-126. SAGE Publications.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Patricia A. Rao , Deborah C. Beidel , Michael J. Murray (2008). Social Skills Interventions for Children with Asperger’s Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism: A Review and Recommendations . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(2), 353-361. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , John Elder Robison *Autistic author. Learn more… (2013). The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults .Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W617058136Crossref OpenAlex
-
Simon Baron-Cohen , Sally Wheelwright (2004). The Empathy Quotient: An Investigation of Adults with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, and Normal Sex Differences . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 163-175. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex
-
Allison B. Ratto , Lauren Turner-Brown , Betty M. Rupp , Gary B. Mesibov , David L. Penn (2011). Development of the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS): A Role Play Measure of Social Skill for Individuals with High-Functioning Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(9), 1277-1286. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Lorna Wing (1983). Social and Interpersonal Needs . In Autism in adolescents and adults (pp. 337-353). Springer US.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Simon Baron-Cohen , Sally Wheelwright , Richard Skinner , Joanne Martin , Emma Clubley (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5-17. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex
-
Mats Cederlund , Bibbi Hagberg , Eva Billstedt , I. Carina Gillberg , Christopher Gillberg (2008). Asperger Syndrome and Autism: A Comparative Longitudinal Follow-Up Study More than 5 Years after Original Diagnosis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(1), 72-85. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Fred H. Frankel (2010). Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The PEERS Treatment Manual .Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1573176939Crossref OpenAlex
-
Duane Buhrmester (1990). Intimacy of Friendship, Interpersonal Competence, and Adjustment during Preadolescence and Adolescence . Child Development, 61(4), 1101. Oxford University Press (OUP).Crossref OpenCitations
-
Gregory S. Liptak , Jenny A. Kennedy , Nienke P. Dosa (2011). Social Participation in a Nationally Representative Sample of Older Youth and Young Adults With Autism . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32(4), 277-283. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Douglas K. Smith (1999). Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) . Diagnostique, 24(1-4), 125-134. SAGE Publications.OpenAlex
-
Michael Burrows , Jerry Ford , Verity Bottroff (2001). The post School outcomes of young adults with autism spectrum disorder . Australasian Journal of Special Education, 25(1), 34-48. Cambridge University Press (CUP).Crossref OpenCitations
-
Amanda Sullivan , Linda C. Caterino (2008). Addressing the Sexuality and Sex Education of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Education and Treatment of Children, 31(1), 381-394. Project MUSE.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Patricia Howlin (2003). Outcome in High-Functioning Adults with Autism with and Without Early Language Delays: Implications for the Differentiation Between Autism and Asperger Syndrome . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(1), 3-13. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex
-
Alexander Gantman , Steven K. Kapp *Autistic author. Learn more… , Kaely Orenski , Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2012). Social Skills Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), 1094-1103. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
-
Hee‐Jeong Yoo , Geonho Bahn , In‐Hee Cho , Eun‐Kyung Kim , Joo‐Hyun Kim , Jung‐Won Min et al. (2014). A Randomized Controlled Trial of the K orean Version of the PEERS ® Parent‐Assisted Social Skills Training Program for Teens With ASD . Autism Research, 7(1), 145-161. Wiley.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
JN Constantino (2005). Social Responsiveness Scale . Social responsiveness scale.Type: OtherCrossref
-
Diane H. Lawrence , Delores A. Alleckson , Pamela Bjorklund (2010). Beyond the Roadblocks: Transitioning to Adulthood With Asperger's Disorder . Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(4), 227-238. Elsevier BV.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Josh Mandelberg , Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Tina D. Cunningham , Ruth Ellingsen , Shannon Bates , Fred Frankel (2014). Long-Term Treatment Outcomes for Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program . Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), 45-73. Informa UK Limited.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Fred Frankel , Jim Mintz (2011). Maternal Reports of Play Dates of Clinic Referred and Community Children . Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20(5), 623-630. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Andrew Whitehouse , Kevin Durkin , Emma Jaquet , Kathryn Ziatas (2009). Friendship, loneliness and depression in adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome . Journal of Adolescence, 32(2), 309-322. Wiley.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Fred Frankel , Robert Myatt , Catherine Sugar , Cynthia Whitham , Clarissa M. Gorospe , Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2010). A Randomized Controlled Study of Parent-assisted Children’s Friendship Training with Children having Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(7), 827-842. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Mathias Lasgaard , Annette Nielsen , Mette E. Eriksen , Luc Goossens (2010). Loneliness and Social Support in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(2), 218-226. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
P. McC Miller , J. G. Ingham (1976). Friends, confidants and symptoms . Social Psychiatry, 11(2), 51-58. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Patricia Howlin (2000). Outcome in Adult Life for more Able Individuals with Autism or Asperger Syndrome . Autism, 4(1), 63-83. SAGE Publications.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
F. M. Gresham , S. N. Elliot (2021). Social Skills Rating System . PsycTESTS Dataset. American Psychological Association (APA).Crossref OpenAlex
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Fred Frankel , Alexander Gantman , Ashley R. Dillon , Catherine Mogil (2012). Evidence-Based Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), 1025-1036. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Kirsten A. Schohl , Amy V. Van Hecke , Audrey Meyer Carson , Bridget Dolan , Jeffrey Karst , Sheryl Stevens (2014). A Replication and Extension of the PEERS Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(3), 532-545. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Susan W. White , Kathleen Keonig , Lawrence Scahill (2007). Social Skills Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of the Intervention Research . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 1858-1868. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Ruth Ellingsen , Jennifer Sanderson , Lara Tucci , Shannon Bates (2014). The ABC’s of Teaching Social Skills to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom: The UCLA PEERS ® Program . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(9), 2244-2256. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Patricia Howlin , Susan Goode , Jane Hutton , Michael Rutter (2004). Adult outcome for children with autism . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212-229. Wiley.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Brian Reichow , Fred R. Volkmar (2010). Social Skills Interventions for Individuals with Autism: Evaluation for Evidence-Based Practices within a Best Evidence Synthesis Framework . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(2), 149-166. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Patricia Howlin , Lynn Mawhood , Michael Rutter (2000). Autism and Developmental Receptive Language Disorder—a Follow‐up Comparison in Early Adult Life. II: Social, Behavioural, and Psychiatric Outcomes . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41(5), 561-578. Wiley.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Paul Shattuck , Mary Wagner , Sarah Narendorf , Paul Sterzing , Melissa Hensley (2011). Post–High School Service Use Among Young Adults With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 165(2), 141-6. American Medical Association (AMA).Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Neil Humphrey , Wendy Symes (2010). Perceptions of social support and experience of bullying among pupils with autistic spectrum disorders in mainstream secondary schools . European Journal of Special Needs Education, 25(1), 77-91. Informa UK Limited.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Marc Woodbury‐Smith , Janine Robinson , S. Wheelwright , Simon Baron-Cohen (2005). Screening Adults for Asperger Syndrome Using the AQ: A Preliminary Study of its Diagnostic Validity in Clinical Practice . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(3), 331-335. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Marieke Jennes-Coussens , Joyce Magill-Evans , Cyndie Koning (2006). The quality of life of young men with Asperger syndrome . Autism, 10(4), 403-414. SAGE Publications.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Mark A. Stokes , Naomi Newton , Archana Kaur (2007). Stalking, and Social and Romantic Functioning Among Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 1969-1986. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
AS Kaufman (2005). Kaufman brief intelligence test—(K-BIT-2) . Kaufman brief intelligence test—(K-BIT-2).Type: OtherCrossref
-
Johnny L. Matson , Brandi B. Smiroldo , Jay W. Bamburg (1998). The relationship of social skills to psychopathology for individuals with severe or profound mental retardation . Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 23(2), 137-145. Informa UK Limited.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Brian Reichow , Amanda M Steiner , Fred Volkmar (2013). Cochrane Review: Social skills groups for people aged 6 to 21 with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) . Evidence-Based Child Health: A Cochrane Review Journal, 8(2), 266-315. Wiley.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Steven O. Walters , Kenneth A. Weaver (2003). Relationships between the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition . Psychological Reports, 92(3_suppl), 1111-1115. SAGE Publications.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2013). The PEERS® Curriculum for School Based Professionals: Social Skills Training for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder .Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2895015051Crossref OpenAlex
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Mi N. Park (2014). Using a CBT Approach to Teach Social Skills to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges: The PEERS® Method . Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 32(1), 84-97. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
EA Laugeson (2014). Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS Korean treatment manual . Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS Korean treatment manual.Type: OtherCrossref
-
(n.d.). Laugeson, E. A. & Frankel, F. (in press). The PEERS treatment manual for young adults with autism spectrum disorder: Evidence-based social skills training. New York, NY: Routledge.Type: OtherCrossref
-
Prianka Mehzabin , Mark A. Stokes (2011). Self-assessed sexuality in young adults with High-Functioning Autism . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 614-621. Elsevier BV.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Elizabeth A. Laugeson , Fred Frankel , Catherine Mogil , Ashley R. Dillon (2009). Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training to Improve Friendships in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(4), 596-606. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Julie Lounds Taylor , Marsha Mailick Seltzer (2011). Employment and Post-Secondary Educational Activities for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders During the Transition to Adulthood . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 566-574. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Amy Vaughan Van Hecke , Sheryl Stevens , Audrey M. Carson , Jeffrey S. Karst , Bridget Dolan , Kirsten Schohl et al. (2015). Measuring the Plasticity of Social Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of the PEERS Intervention on EEG Asymmetry in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(2), 316-335. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
A Couteur Le (2003). The autism diagnostic interview—Revised (ADI-R) . The autism diagnostic interview—Revised (ADI-R).Type: OtherCrossref
-
Digby Tantam (2003). The challenge of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome . Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12(1), 143-163. Elsevier BV.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Jessie Haddad (2013). Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS treatment manual . Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 25(1), 93-94. National Inquiry Services Center (NISC).OpenAlex
-
Catherine Lord (2012). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule . Autism diagnostic observation schedule.Type: OtherCrossref
-
Josh Mandelberg , Fred Frankel , Tina Cunningham , Clarissa Gorospe , Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2014). Long-term outcomes of parent-assisted social skills intervention for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders . Autism, 18(3), 255-263. SAGE Publications.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
S Marriage (2009). Marriage, S., Wolverton, A., & Marriage, K. (2009). Autism spectrum disorder grown up: A chart review of adult functioning. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18, 322–327. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18, 322.Type: OtherCrossref
-
Tristram Smith , Lawrence Scahill , Géraldine Dawson , Donald Guthrie , Catherine Lord , Samuel Odom et al. (2007). Designing Research Studies on Psychosocial Interventions in Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(2), 354-366. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.OpenAlex
-
Oren Shtayermman (2007). Peer Victimization in Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome: A Link to Depressive Symptomatology, Anxiety Symptomatology and Suicidal Ideation . Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 30(3), 87-107. Informa UK Limited.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
KA Schohl (2013). Schohl, K. A., Van Hecke, A. V., Carson, A. M., Dolan, B., Karst, J., & Stevens, S. (2013). A replication and extension of the PEERS intervention: Examining effects on social skills and social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 354–366. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 354.Type: OtherCrossref
-
J O Renty , Herbert Roeyers (2006). Quality of life in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder . Autism, 10(5), 511-524. SAGE Publications.OpenAlex
-
S Sparrow (2005). The vineland adaptive behavior scales . The Vineland adaptive behavior scales.Type: OtherCrossref
-
Jessie Haddad (2013). Book Review Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS treatment manual By Elizabeth A Laugeson and Fred Frankel (2010) . Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(1).Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2289151586OpenAlex
-
D Wechsler (1997). WAIS-III, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale: Administration and scoring manual . WAIS-III, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale: Administration and scoring manual.Type: OtherCrossref
-
(2018). Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales . The SAGE Encyclopedia of Intellectual and Developmental Disorders. SAGE Publications, Inc..OpenAlex
-
Catherine Lord , Michael Rutter , Susan Goode , Jacquelyn Heemsbergen , Heather Jordan , Lynn Mawhood et al. (2016). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule . PsycTESTS Dataset. American Psychological Association (APA).OpenAlex
-
(2013). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.OpenAlex
-
John N. Constantino (2013). Social Responsiveness Scale . In Social Responsiveness Scale, (pp. 2919-2929). Springer New York.OpenAlex
-
Michael Burrows , Jerry Ford , Verity Bottroff (2001). The Post School Outcomes of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Australasian Journal of Special Education, 25(1-2), 34-48. Cambridge University Press (CUP).OpenAlex
-
So Hyun Kim , Catherine Lord (2018). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule . In Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology (pp. 1-6). Springer International Publishing.OpenAlex
-
Duane Buhrmester (1990). Intimacy of Friendship, Interpersonal Competence, and Adjustment during Preadolescence and Adolescence . Child Development, 61(4), 1101. Oxford University Press (OUP).OpenAlex
-
Sara S. Sparrow (2011). Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales . In Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology (pp. 2618-2621). Springer New York.OpenAlex