Effective PEERS Social Skills education curriculum is here now!

After months of research and preparation, Constellations is happy to announce the reappearance of our social skills group as an added component to our Home-based programming treatment package. Considering the variable evidence of the efficacy of social skill group interventions, Constellations sought to create an intervention that incorporated treatment components that are research-based and proven to increase skill acquisition in the most critical of skill deficits caused by autism (Bellini, Peters, Benner, & Hopf, 2007; Wang & Spillane, 2009; Reichow & Volkmar, 2010; Cappadocia & Weiss 2011; Reichow Steiner, & Volkmar, 2013).

​Our social skills instruction model utilizes the  Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS)  with the added support of a clinician in the community setting to support generalization of skills through parent instruction and supported get-togethers with peers (Laugeson, Frankel, Mogil, & Dillon, 2008). ​

 With the expertise of the Constellations clinicians and the support of Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, CBS intends to extend and replicate the research to increase generalization and maintenance of learned social skills with the support of the families and the community. Adding in the component of supported peer interactions with a trained social coach and the education of parents to cultivate safe and effective peer interactions, our social skills programming is utilizing the research in our field to produce results.  
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Our model will include social skills instruction with children and parents in the home during the week. These sessions will occur two to three times weekly, depending on the needs of the individual, and will be supported with a trained social coach and the expertise of a certified behavior analyst, skilled in the implementation of social skills instruction for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. These skills will then be systematically generalized through group sessions on Saturdays. Groups will consist of only three to five members and are formed based on the interests of the peers, to help facilitate friendships after the course of intervention. 
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CBS is dedicated to providing evidence-based treatment for the improvement of the quality of life for our clients and their families. We are extremely excited to implement this model, with the support of a PEERS® certified clinician and the vast expertise of our team!