PEERS® for Preschoolers
Overview
- PEERS® for Preschoolers is a 16-week neuroaffirming, evidence-based program designed to teach children between the ages of 4 to 6 years how to make and keep friends.
- Children attend weekly 90-minute sessions, while parents attend separate social coaching sessions simultaneously, ending with a parent-coached play activity.
- Groups include puppet show lessons, role-play demonstrations, and practice, while parents learn strategies to support success.
Participants will learn about:
- Having playdates
- Joining playgroups
- Greeting friends
- Asking & joining play
- Sharing & giving turns
- Keeping cool during play
- Being a good sport
- Asking & giving help
- Maintaining body boundaries
When & Where
- Duration: 16 weeks
- Planned Terms: Year Round
- Venue: Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Cost
These programs are billed through insurance. We accept most forms of insurance except Kaiser and Medi-Cal.
- Kaiser families may participate through self-pay.
- Medi-Cal families cannot participate in these clinical programs (CA state law prohibits billing Medi-Cal clients for services not covered). They may enroll instead in our PEERS® Online Social Skills Classes.
- Families using insurance may request our billing codes to verify copays directly with their insurance provider.
- These programs are available only to families located in California.
Self-Pay Costs:
- Intake Appointment: $508
- Weekly Appointments: $250 total per week ($125 for child & $125 for caregiver/social coach)
Requirements
- Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or have other social challenges
- Be between the ages of 4 to 6 years
- Enrolled in mommy and me classes, pre K, TK, or kindergarten
- Speak consistently and flexibly in phrases or sentences of more than four words
- Not have any significant behavioral problems (e.g., aggression)
- Parent must be willing to participate
How to Apply
- Call our office at 310-267-3377 or peersclinic@ucla.edu to complete a 20-minute phone screen with a member of our staff, and subsequently receive an enrollment packet.
- Complete and return your enrollment packet.
- Parent and child come to UCLA for a 1.5 hour intake appointment with one of our clinicians to determine if our program is appropriate for you and your child.