Ongoing research at The UCLA PEERS® Clinic has led to a number of publications in key journals in which evidence supports the PEERS® programme for adolescents and young adults. In addition a number of Universities in the US and overseas have conducted collaborative studies, with some involving cross-cultural validation research projects.
Overall, recent research, including randomised controlled trials has shown the following improvements in adolescents who completed the programme; -
- Improved social skills and social reciprocity
- Improved social skills knowledge and social understanding
- Improved friendship quality
- Greater number of social gatherings (hosted by the teen in their home)
- Improved social engagement and social responsiveness
- Initiation of new friendships
- Improved self-regulation
- Teens with ASD and ADHD appear to benefit similarly following intervention
