Question 1

Who is PEERS® for?

Accepted Answer

PEERS® is for anyone who struggles socially and is seeking to improve friendships. It has a strong evidence-base for use with autism spectrum disorder, but is also appropriate for adolescents and young adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems. Classes are arranged by age group.

Question 2

What makes PEERS® different than other Social Skills Programs?

Accepted Answer

PEERS® is evidence-based, includes and educates parents to be social coaches, teaches based on how socially successful individuals behave, breaks down social skills into understandable steps, builds in the generalization of skills to “real life” settings, and teaches skills that transfer to the workplace. PEERS® has been researched since 2004, found to be effective and that skills are maintained 3 to 5 years following the classes.

Question 3

What will be covered in the Adolescents course?

Accepted Answer

The Adolescents course covers appropriate conversational skills, finding common interests by trading information, using humor appropriately, entering and exiting conversations with peers, handling rejection, teasing, and bullying, handling rumors and gossip, being a good host during get-togethers, making phone calls to friends, choosing appropriate friends, being a good sport, handling arguments and disagreements. Age group: 9-18.

Question 4

What are the participation requirements for Adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Parent/social coach be able to attend concurrent sessions and assist with homework, youth must agree to participate in the program voluntarily, be able to learn and participate in a group setting, ages: 9-18.

Question 5

What will be covered in the Young Adults Course?

Accepted Answer

The Young Adults Course covers using appropriate conversational skills, finding common interests, using humor appropriately, entering and exiting conversations between peers, handling rejection, teasing, and bullying, being a good host during get-togethers, choosing appropriate friends, being a good sport, handling arguments and disagreements. Age group: 18-29.

Question 6

What are the participation requirements for Young Adults?

Accepted Answer

Between the ages of 18 –29, struggles with friendships and want to improve social relationships, can successfully learn in a small group environment, motivated to participate in the program, committed to regular attendance.

Question 7

When and where are the classes held?

Accepted Answer

Classes are held at Peace Lutheran Church, 20 Northdale Blvd in Coon Rapids. Classes occur on Monday evenings; time varies dependent on group.

Question 8

What do the classes cost?

Accepted Answer

Each 10 week PEERS class is $1600, and includes an individual intake session, and all sessions for both participant and parent.

Question 9

Are the classes covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

The classes are provided by mental health professionals and may be billed to insurance as group therapy. Classes may be covered by insurance, dependent on your policy. We are currently out of network for most insurance plans. We can discuss with you additional information if needed to determine your coverage. We are in network for Minnesota Medical Assistance.

Strengthen Social Skills FAQ