Boston PEERS Social Skills Program, LLC.

Boston PEERS Social Skills Program runs group-based social skills training for people who struggle to connect with others, including those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and social anxiety. Its programs for teens and young adults help participants who want to make and keep friends but feel awkward or anxious in social situations. A preschool program teaches young children to listen, follow directions and recognize social cues such as body language, tone of voice and facial expressions.

Sessions use PEERS, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, an evidence-based curriculum. Research on PEERS has linked it to better social knowledge, more frequent get-togethers, stronger friendships and reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms. Groups meet in person and combine social cognition, perspective-taking and practical skills, and parents or caregivers take part so skills carry over at home. Families credit Dr. Chu and her team with running the program.

What to Know

• Boston PEERS operates two locations.
• Participants receive individualized attention within the group setting.
• The program teaches real-world skills used by socially successful peers rather than relying heavily on ABA methods.