Journal of Education & Social Policy

Adapting the PEERS® Intervention: A Comparative Analysis of Program Length
Loredana Marchica PhD Miranda D’Amico PhD

Abstract
The present study compared the effectiveness of the 14-week Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for adolescents to an adapted 7-week version. Twenty-two adolescents with ASD and social skills deficits aged 12-17 years of age (Mage = 13.8, SD = 1.37) took part in either the 7-week, twice a week session program or the 14-week, once a week session program. Social skills were measured using the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales (SSIS-RS). A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in intervention effectiveness between program lengths based on parent reports, with participants in the 14-week program performing better than those in the 7-week program. Univariate analyses revealed overall statistically significant improvements at post-test in social skills behaviours on the SSIS-RS for both groups. Results support that the PEERS® program as an intervention is better suited and produces stronger results in its original 14-week format, at least for the study participants.

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