Direct answer
Laugeson, E.A. et al. · Sedgewick, F. et al. · Verified 2026-08-10
Quick summary
In brief
Key points
Evidence-Based Programs in Ontario
The PEERS program, developed at UCLA, is the gold standard for social skills intervention in autistic adolescents. Research shows significant improvements in social knowledge, social engagement, and friendship quality, with gains maintained at 1-5 year follow-up. PEERS teaches concrete skills: how to enter conversations, electronic communication, organizing get-togethers, handling disagreements, and managing rejection.
Ontario PEERS options may include university, hospital, Children's Treatment Centre, and private programs. Ask each provider about age range, referral route, cost, virtual access, and current availability.
Other evidence-supported approaches available in Ontario include: social thinking programs (designed for teens who are cognitively able but socially challenged), drama-based social skills groups (using the structured nature of scripts and role-play), and peer mentorship programs where neurotypical peers are trained to support autistic classmates.
Evidence and sources
Laugeson, E.A. et al.
The PEERS Intervention for Adolescents with ASD: Evidence-Based Social Skills Training. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2012; 42(6):1025-1036
Sedgewick, F. et al.
Gender Differences in the Social Motivation and Friendship Experiences of Autistic and Non-autistic Adolescents. J Autism Dev Disord, 2016; 46(4):1297-1306
Frequently asked questions
- Should I push my autistic teen to be more social?
- Pushing can backfire and increase social anxiety. Instead, support your teen in finding social connections that align with their interests and energy levels. Many autistic teens thrive in interest-based groups (gaming, coding, art) where social interaction is structured around a shared activity. Quality of friendships matters more than quantity — one genuine friendship can be more valuable than many superficial ones.
- Is the PEERS program available in Ontario?
- PEERS may be available through research, hospital, community, or private providers. Ask each provider about current openings, age range, cost, virtual access, and whether OAP funding can be used.
- How do I help my autistic teen deal with bullying?
- Document incidents in writing and report to the school principal, citing Ontario's Accepting Schools Act (Bill 13). Request a safety plan as part of the IEP. Teach your teen to identify and report bullying behaviours. Connect with your school board's Safe Schools team. If the school does not respond adequately, escalate to the school board superintendent or contact the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
Where the waitlist stands
Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.
About this page
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Social Challenges in Adolescence
Autistic teens face unique social challenges: understanding unwritten social rules that become more complex in adolescence, navigating rapidly shifting peer dynamics, managing social media and digital communication, recognizing and responding to romantic interest, and coping with increased awareness of social differences.
Bullying remains a critical concern. Studies report high rates of peer victimization for autistic students, with risk often peaking in middle school. Ontario's anti-bullying rules require school action, but implementation varies.
Importantly, many autistic teens desire social connection but struggle with the "how" rather than the "want." Neurodiversity-affirming approaches recognize that autistic social skills are different, not deficient, and focus on building authentic connections that align with the teen's communication style rather than masking autistic traits.