A Replication and Extension of the PEERS registered for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Young adults with ASD experience difficulties with social skills, empathy, loneliness, and social anxiety. One intervention, PEERS registered for Young Adults, shows promise in addressing these challenges. The present study replicated and extended the original study by recruiting a larger sample (N=56), employing a gold standard ASD assessment tool, and examining changes in social anxiety utilizing a randomized controlled trial design. Results indicated improvements in social responsiveness (SSIS-RS SS, p=.006 and CPB, p=.005; SRS, p=.004), PEERS registered knowledge (TYASSK, p=.001), empathy (EQ, p=.044), direct interactions (QSQ-YA, p=.059), and social anxiety (LSAS-SR, p=.019). Findings demonstrate further empirical support for the intervention for individuals with ASD.