WHAT IS PEERS?

The Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for Adolescents is a six week evidence-based parent/caregiver-assisted social skills intervention for motivated teens in middle and high school with social challenges who are interested in learning new ways of making and keeping friends. This internationally acclaimed program, used in over 70 countries in over 18 different languages, was originally developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson. PEERS® is world-renowned for providing evidence-based social skills treatment to preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other socio-emotional learning needs.

WHAT HAPPENS IN PEERS for Adolescents?

The PEERS® for Adolescents 6-week social skills intervention for youth is held for 50 minutes each group session for students with regular updates separately for parents/caregivers/emotion coach, depending on format offered. During each group session, teens are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills in session during socialisation activities. Parents/coaches are given the resources to support their teen in the learning from the weekly sessions and are taught how to assist their teens in making and keeping friends by helping to expand their teen’s social network and providing feedback through coaching during weekly socialisation home practice guidance. Participation in the adolescent PEERS® 6-week virtual programme, when offered, can provide the same much needed support for teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression or other social and behavioral disorders. when attendance in person is not possible. Parent/caregiver/emotion coach participation is required.

WHAT IS THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS add-on course?

A Twice per week PEERS-Informed, Game-Based Dungeons and Dragons Program for Schools & Families

In this two‑day Dungeons & Dragons + PEERS® Social Skills Adventure (ages 12–18), teens build real‑world friendship skills and then put them into action with their own party of heroes. Each week begins after school with a PEERS®-informed social skills session, where the group learns clear, practical strategies (like starting conversations, joining in, handling disagreement, and repair) through discussion, modelling, and guided practice.

On the weekend, the party reunites for a 1‑hour D&D mission where imagination leads the way—and every choice matters. Using simple rules and dice rolls, the group collaborates to shape the story’s outcomes: clever plans, brave rescues, unexpected alliances, and dramatic twists.

Players create (or choose) their own character and team up to tackle mysteries, puzzles, and challenges—negotiating with suspicious townsfolk, exploring ancient ruins, solving magical riddles, and working together to succeed. With support from a counsellor certified to deliver the PEERS® Program, teens get a welcoming, sensory-aware space to practise skills in the moment, build confidence with peers, and develop genuine friendships—week by week, adventure by adventure.

Why D&D? D&D provides a motivating, structured way to practice real-life skills:

• clear roles and rules for turn-taking
• repeated opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving
• “safe practice” for social situations (mistakes become learning moments)
• engaging stories that promote participation for teens who may avoid traditional afterschool / weekend  groups
• Emphasis on imagination, creativity, strategy and talking.
• No screens involved!

Group structure

• Small group (typically 3–6 students)
• Led by a trained counsellor (“Dungeon Master”) with structured coaching
• Weekly sessions (commonly 60–70 minutes) over 8 weeks
• Optional caregiver coaching component to support practice at home

What parents and schools can expect

• A respectful, strengths-based environment
• Explicit teaching (not “just playing a game”)
• Visual supports, predictable routines, and accommodations for attention/regulation needs
• Emphasis on kindness, inclusion, and repair after social mistakes
• Progress monitoring through brief participation and skill-use check-ins
• Guidance and support from counsellor with experience in delivering neuroaffirming practice

Participation and accessibility

No D&D experience is required. Materials are provided. Students can join using:

• beginner-friendly characters
• simplified rules as needed
• supports for communication, sensory needs, and attention

Program goals

Participants will work toward:
-understanding how to run and set up D&D games with peers
-increased confidence initiating and maintaining peer interactions
-improved cooperation, perspective-taking, and conflict management
-stronger friendship skills and better generalisation to school/home settings

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• PEERS® is for motivated adolescents struggling with making and keeping friends.
• Families interested in learning ecologically valid social skills that address core social deficits.
• Parents/caregivers and students who are keen to learn how to practice and maintain skills weekly.

Join the PEERS Basics to gain core skills and the DnD sessions to gain live practice. If a PEERS course has been previously attended, let us know and we can work to arrange attendance of the DnD sessions separately. Alternatively, we offer four session, one-on-one intensives to bring you up to speed so you can enjoy the DnD action on Saturday’s.