PEERS® for Young Adults
Building genuine friendships, social confidence, and independence in adulthood
PEERS® for Young Adults extends the same UCLA-developed, evidence-based curriculum to the real-world social demands of adult life. It's suitable for autistic adults and those with ADHD, social communication difficulties, or a developmental delay who want to build a genuine social network and greater independence outside the family home.
Delivered via telehealth in small groups, PEERS® for Young Adults is available to participants anywhere in Australia — not just those local to Ballarat.
What the Program Covers
Participants learn practical strategies for navigating adult social life, including:
The final weeks of the program cover dating and relationships. Read more about dating and relationship education.
Finding sources of friends and building a social network
Starting, maintaining, and exiting conversations
Appropriate use of electronic communication and social media
Handling disagreements, arguments, and rejection
Managing direct and indirect bullying
Building and maintaining a broader circle of social support
How It Works
Caregiver-assisted— each participant attends a weekly group session alongside a social coach — a family member, friend, or trusted support person — who takes part in a concurrent session
Small groups, via telehealth — sessions are delivered via telehealth in small groups, giving young adults anywhere in Australia the same access to this internationally-validated program as those in major cities
Real-world carryover — this active-coaching structure is a core, evidence-based feature of the program: it's what helps skills learned in the group carry over into real, everyday social situations
Is This Program Right for You (or Your Family Member)?
PEERS® for Young Adults may be a good fit if you or your loved one:
Wants to build a stronger, more genuine social network
Finds it difficult to start or maintain friendships as an adult
Would benefit from clear, structured teaching of adult social skills rather than informal learning through observation
Is motivated to build greater social confidence and independence
Frequently Asked Questions
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PEERS® for Young Adults is designed for adults aged 18 to 35-years old.
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Yes — a social coach (a family member, friend, or support person) attends a concurrent session alongside the participant. This is a core, evidence-based part of the program.
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PEERS® for Young Adults is delivered via telehealth in small groups, so participants anywhere in Australia can take part.
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Request a call back below. We'll get in touch to talk through your needs and confirm whether PEERS® for Young Adults — or another one of our programs — is the right starting point.
Build the Skills Needed for Meaningful Social Connection
