University Launches Autism Dating Program

A major university is launching a new program aimed at helping adults with autism learn to navigate the complexities of dating and romantic relationships.

UCLA Health said it will begin the 20-week PEERS for Dating program later this month as a clinical trial.

Through the program, adults with autism will learn how to choose the right people to date, online dating etiquette, how to ask someone out, what to do on a date, how to handle pressure and rejection, and more .

Participants will attend weekly group sessions and trained dating coaches will help them apply their new skills in the real world.

The approach is an extension of the Program for Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, or PEERS, an evidence-based social skills program for children and young adults with autism developed at UCLA that has been taught in more than 150 countries.

PEERS for Dating is based on years of research including focus groups and pilot studies, according to those behind the program.

“Romantic relationships can be transformative, but for many autistic adults, the path to connection can seem uncertain,” said Elizabeth Laugeson, a clinical professor in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, who developed the PEERS program. “With PEERS for Dating, we are committed to providing evidence-based tools to empower participants to approach love with confidence, form lasting connections, and improve their overall quality of life.”

The applications are being accepted through the end of January for the PEERS for Dating clinical trial, which is available as an in-person or virtual offering. Once the study is complete, the university plans to offer the program as a clinical service and also train professionals around the world to implement it.