Autistic children have social communication differences that can contribute to difficulties making and keeping friends, as well as poor mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression). Social skills training programs for preschoolers on the spectrum have been shown to increase social functioning and improve outcomes. Parent involvement in these programs is essential, as parents are able to use the intervention strategies outside of sessions. Teaching parents skills to help their children is also thought to reduce parenting stress through empowerment, knowledge, and social support. However, we still do not know much about how parents experience social skills treatments and whether there are specific parts that are especially helpful to them. This study examined parent perspectives on the University of California, Los Angeles Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for Preschoolers, an evidence-based, group social skills intervention for autistic young children who are struggling socially. Twenty-four parents reported on their child's progress through questionnaires and participated in semi-structured interviews that asked about their experiences and perspectives 1-5 years after completing (PEERS®) for Preschoolers. Parents reported that their children displayed increased social skills and confidence after (PEERS®) for Preschoolers, while parents described feeling more positive, supported, and having greater understanding of their child and their development. Those parents who continued to use strategies taught in (PEERS®) for Preschoolers, particularly priming and preparing their child for social activities, showed greater improvements in long-term child outcomes and parenting stress. Overall, findings show that parents had a positive experience during and after PEERS® for Preschoolers, finding the program helpful in multiple ways to both their child and to themselves as a parent.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; family functioning and support; interventions—psychosocial/behavioral; pre-school children; qualitative research; social cognition and social behavior.