The Science of Making Friends: Teaching Social Skills to Teens and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Presented by:
Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D.

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About the Presenter
Social deficits are known to be a significant problem for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), yet very few evidence-based social skills programs exist for high-functioning adolescents and young adults with ASD. In this interactive and dynamic presentation, Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson will be providing an overview of PEERS, an empirically supported social skills program for teens and young adults with ASD and their parents. Within the framework of solid research evidence, concrete rules and steps of social etiquette will be highlighted to promote the development and maintenance of friendships for youth with ASD.

About the Workshop
Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is Director of The Help Group – UCLA Autism Research Alliance, a collaborative research initiative dedicated to developing and expanding applied clinical research in the treatment of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Laugeson is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Director of the UCLA PEERS Program, an outpatient clinic providing parent-assisted social skills training for adolescents and young adults with ASD and other social impairments. As co-developer of an evidence-based social skills program for teens with ASD known as PEERS, she has presented her ground-breaking research at international conferences throughout the world including the US, Canada, England, Australia, and Italy. Her pioneering work has also been featured on national and international media outlets such as People Magazine, the LA Times, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, CBS, NBC, and Channel 4 in the United Kingdom.