PEER SUPPORTS (PS)

WHAT IS PEER SUPPORTS?

"Peer-mediated interventions that are powerful and practical strategies for supporting the inclusion, learning, and relationships of students with disabilities."​



~ Erik Carter ​

WHY PEER SUPPORTS?

Positive relationships with peers, staff, and the broader community play an instrumental role in adolescent development, and students with autism often require additional support in this area.

GOALS OF PEER SUPPORTS

Create social networks within school communities to support students with autism


Teach peers how to connect with and enjoy a diverse student body


Support the development of specific social skills, including perspective taking and problem solving

HOW DOES PEER SUPPORTS WORK?

PEER SUPPORTS ARRANGEMENTS

  • One or more students (without an autism diagnosis) provide ongoing social and academic support in the school setting to a classmate with autism ​

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  • Teachers provide guidance to the students to help them support their classmate with specific goals

More Information About Peer Supports:

Bottema-Beutel, K., Mullins, T., Harvey, M., Gustafson, J. R., & Carter, E. W. (2016). Avoiding the “brick wall of awkward”: Perspectives of youth with autism spectrum disorder on socialization-focused intervention practices. Autism, 20, 196-206.

Carter, E. W., Dykstra Steinbrenner, J. R., & Hall, L. J. (2019). Exploring feasibility and fit: Peer-mediated interventions for high school students with autism spectrum disorder. School Psychology Review, 48, 157-169.

Carter, E. W., Gustafson, J. R., Sreckovic, M. A., Steinbrenner, J. R. D., Pierce, N. P., Bord, A., Stabel, A., Rogers, S., Czerw, A., & Mullins, T. (2017). Efficacy of peer support interventions in general education classrooms for high school students with autism spectrum disorder. Remedial and Special Education, 38, 207-221.