PEERS® for Preschoolers

Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is a licensed clinical psychologist, Clinical Professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and Director of the UCLA PEERS® Clinic and UCLA Tarjan Center UCEDD.Dr. Mina Park is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, a former Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSF.Dr. Jennifer Sanderson is a licensed clinical psychologist in Miami, Florida. She currently directs the Autism Clinic within a private practice, providing psychological and consultative services across the lifespan.

“The PEERS® program has been a gift to autistic and other neurodivergent teens and adults, their families and professionals who work with them by providing a fun, innovative way of building social skills and opportunities for interaction. This version for preschool children provides a modified version of its step by step, evidence-based, positive approach to how to support younger children in social relationships. It will bring joy, confidence and skills to many children, their parents (who are actively involved from the word go) and the providers who get to work with them.”Catherine Lord, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine“A marvelous addition to our tools for developing social-communication skills in preschoolers this valuable, evidence based program teaches social skills using lessons, play based materials, and group activities. Designed to have materials that are readily taught and used, this book will be an invaluable guide to foster social skills in the preschool population.”Fred R. Volkmar, MD, Irving B. Harris Professor Emeritus, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine

• Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Session 1: Listening and Following DirectionsChapter 3 Session 2: Meeting and Greeting FriendsChapter 4 Session 3: Sharing and Giving a TurnChapter 5 Session 4: Asking for a TurnChapter 6 Session 5: Keeping CoolChapter 7 Session 6: Being a Good SportChapter 8 Session 7: Show and Tell During PlayChapter 9 Session 8: Don’t be BossyChapter 10 Session 9: Asking a Friend to PlayChapter 11 Session 10: Joining a GameChapter 12 Session 11: Asking to Play Something DifferentChapter 13 Session 12: Asking and Giving HelpChapter 14 Session 13: Body BoundariesChapter 15 Session 14: Using an Inside VoiceChapter 16 Session 15: Review Part IChapter 17 Session 16: Review Part II and Graduation