PEERS for Teens Plus CommunityWorks (ages 13-18)
PEERS® for Teens Plus CommunityWorks is a 12-week inclusive, group- and community-based program for teens with and without autism. Participants focus on social and pre-employment readiness skills as well as focus on helping teens explore their interests and abilities in a variety of work environments.
During weekly 120-minute sessions, small groups of adolescents are taught social skills including conversational skills, appropriate use of electronic communication, choosing appropriate friends, appropriate use of humor, entering and exiting a conversation, steps for having appropriate get-togethers, good sportsmanship, handling rejection, handling disagreements, and handling rumors and gossip. Additionally, each week groups will participate in sessions within the community at partner non-profits to practice the skills they learn within the PEERS curriculum. During these community sessions, pre-employment skills will also be targeted to support the development of employment skills for all teens. Throughout the 12-week session, parents are simultaneously learning the same material and are trained to coach their adolescents as they complete weekly homework assignments related to the course material. PEERS is offered to teens between the ages of 13-18 and who are in at least 7th through 12th grades.
Participants can look forward to learning the following skills:
- Using appropriate conversational skills
- Finding common interests with peers
- Appropriately using humor
- Entering & exiting conversations
- Handling rumors and gossip
- Handling arguments & disagreements
- Choosing appropriate friends
- Making phone calls to friends
- Being a good host during get-togethers
- Being a good sport
- Changing a bad reputation
- Handling rejection, teasing & bullying
SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATIONs
- Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Jan. 31 - April 22 from 4-6 p.m.
- Sessions take place in person at SARRC: 2225 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006, and area nonprofit settings
- Parent participation is required
FUNDING OPTIONS
- Private insurance (SARRC accepts most major insurance plans)
- Private pay
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
For more information on program dates or to register, please contact our Family Resource Team today at 602.606.9806 or online at inquiry.autismcenter.org.
TEEN PEER MENTOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
PEERS for Teens Plus CommunityWorks assists teens by promoting both social and personal growth for our clients with autism. It is of critical importance that our teen volunteers have the skills to both model and assist in teaching important pivotal behaviors to our clients. This requires patience, respect, collaboration, consistency, excitement, and a mind that is open and ready to learn. While we understand things come up and schedules can change, we are looking for a strong commitment to SARRC, our clients, and our program to enroll as a peer mentor. The gift that you have to offer our clients is you being you: a peer with interests and passions, things you like and things you don’t.