PEERS© for Careers

The current study proposes to investigate the effectiveness of PEERS© adapted to target postsecondary students with ASD as they prepare for careers (PEERS© for Careers). Building upon the PEERS© evidence base, PEERS© for Careers will target the development of social competence and related skills as they pertain to the work setting in a 20-week didactic course and subsequent 10-week internship. In the first phase of the study, participants will be randomized to be paired with a career coach to support practicing and generalizing the skills learned within the didactics portion of the program or to receive the didactic training without a career coach. In the second phase of the study, participants who were randomized to receive the didactic training with a coach will continue to receive coaching during the following 10-week internship phase. Those who completed the didactic training without a coach will be re-randomized to either a career coach or no coach condition and will complete a 10-week internship as well.