Marquette Autism Project (MAP)

The Marquette PEERS Study

This study aims to understand how preschoolers, teenagers, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and their parents are affected by social skills therapy, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, or PEERS. PEERS is an evidence-based, manualized, 14-week (16 weeks for preschoolers and young adults), outpatient treatment program developed at the University of California at Los Angeles. Dr. Van Hecke is certified by UCLA to provide the PEERS program at Marquette University. PEERS study groups usually begin every January and August (subject to staffing capabilities), and are provided at no charge to research participants.

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Who can participate?

The study invites preschoolers aged 4-7, teens aged 11-16, and young adults aged 18-28, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a parent or guardian to participate. Preschoolers, teens, and young adults need to speak English competently, using full sentences, to derive the best benefit from the program. Parents and preschoolers/teens/young adults will participate in an intake session where eligibility will be determined. Due to limited group size, some preschoolers/teens/young adults may be placed on a waiting list for inclusion in the next PEERS group.

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 PEERS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

• How long does the study last?

  The study will take place at Marquette University.
  For preschoolers with ASD, the intake sessions, which last about 2 hours, will include one visit to Marquette for questionnaires and behavioral assessments. Children and parents will then participate in the PEERS treatment sessions. Afternoon sessions are once weekly, for 1.5 hours, for 16 weeks. Parents meet concurrently in a separate group to support their child’s learning of skills. After the 16 weeks of PEERS is completed, parents and children will participate in a follow-up session, where many of the same measures from intake will be repeated.

• What are the benefits?

  The study will allow you to contribute to the understanding of ASD, and of how children who are successful in the program may change behaviorally. PEERS intervention will be provided free of charge to eligible children with ASD and parents.
  
  

PEERS FOR TEENS

• How long does the study last?

  The study will take place at Marquette University.
  For teens with ASD, the intake sessions, which last about 2 hours, will include one visit to Marquette for questionnaires and behavioral assessments. Teens and parents will then participate in the PEERS treatment sessions. Evening sessions are once weekly, for 1.5 hours, for 14 weeks. Parents meet concurrently in a separate group to support their teen’s learning of skills. After the 14 weeks of PEERS is completed, parents and teens will participate in a follow-up session, where many of the same measures from intake will be repeated.

• What are the benefits?

  The study will allow you to contribute to the understanding of ASD, and of how teens who are successful in the program may change behaviorally. PEERS intervention will be provided free of charge to eligible teens with ASD and parents.

PEERS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

• How long does the study last?

  The study will take place at Marquette University.
  For young adults with ASD, the intake sessions, which last about 3 hours, will include one visit to Marquette for questionnaires, behavioral assessments, measurement of heart rate, and an electroencephalogram (EEG), a non-invasive method of measuring brain activity.
  
  Young adults and parents will then participate in the PEERS treatment sessions. Evening sessions are once weekly, for 1.5 hours, for 16 weeks. Parents meet concurrently in a separate group to support their young adult’s learning of skills. After the 16 weeks of PEERS is completed, parents and young adults will participate in a follow-up session, where many of the same measures from intake will be repeated.
  

• What are the benefits?

  The study will allow you to contribute to the understanding of ASD, and of how young adults who are successful in the program may change behaviorally and neurologically. PEERS intervention will be provided free of charge to eligible young adults with ASD and parents.

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Who do I contact?

For more information or to schedule an intake, please call the Marquette Autism Project at (414) 288-4438, extension 1, or email mu.peers@marquette.edu . Please mention that you are interested in the PEERS study for Preschoolers, Teens, or Young Adults.

• Alana McVey, MS
• Angela Haendel, MS, CCC-SLP
• Hillary Schiltz, MS
• Rachel Stanley
• Elyse Adler
• Alexis Arias
• Alex Barrington

• Brianna D. Yund
• Kenia Rivera
• Rachel Henry
• Rachel Hafner

• Genesis Martinez
• Cheyanne Hagan
• Carly Colman
• Claire Nicklaw
• Maria Cobo Nieto
• Cecily Banks
• Morgan Ford

• Audrey Meyer Carson, Ph.D.
• Jeff Karst, Ph.D.
• Sheryl Stevens, Ph.D.
• Kirsten Schohl Willar, Ph.D.
• Bridget Dolan Wozniak, Ph.D.