The Impact of PEERS Program on Enhancement Social and Communication Skills in Adolescent Boys with High-Functioning Autism Disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PEERS program on increasing social and communication skills in adolescent boys with High-functioning Autism (HFA) disorder. The present study is a single- subject design that experimental effects on each participant will be examined. The subjects of this study were 4 boys with HFA that selected by purposeful sampling method. The Social Skills Improvement System(SSIS), The Quality of Play Questionnaire (QPQ-P & A), and Test of Adolescent Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK) were used to assess social and communication skills. The results showed that, according to the comparison scores of the subjects before and after the intervention, PEERS's program has been effective in improving social and communication skills in adolescents with HFA disorder. Considering the importance of social skills in adolescence, PEERS' program can have an effective role to increasing the social and communication skills of adolescents with HFA disorder and their popularity among peers by providing structured, grouped content and company parent in the interventional program.