A Replication and Extension of the PEERS(r) for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Young adults with ASD experience difficulties with social skills, empathy, loneliness, and social anxiety. One intervention, PEERS(r) for Young Adults, shows promise in addressing these challenges. The present study replicated and extended the original study by recruiting a larger sample (N 56) employing a gold standard ASD assessment tool, and examining changes in social anxiety utilizing a randomized controlled trial design. Results indicated improvements in social responsiveness (SSIS RS SS, p .006 and CPB, p .005; SRS, p .004) PEERS(r) knowledge (TYASSK, p .001) empathy (EQ, p .044) direct interactions (QSQ YA, p .059) and social anxiety (LSAS SR, p .019) Findings demonstrate further empirical support for the intervention for individuals with ASD.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders