5 Signs Your Teen Needs Social Skills Support (And How PEERS® Can Help)
As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to watch your teenager struggle socially. But how do you know when typical teenage awkwardness crosses the line into needing professional support? Here are five clear signs that your teen could benefit from structured social skills training—and how the evidence-based PEERS® program can help.
The Challenge of Recognising Social Skills Difficulties
Many parents dismiss their teen's social struggles as "just a phase" or assume they'll naturally grow out of it. While some social awkwardness is normal during adolescence, persistent patterns that interfere with your teen's wellbeing and development shouldn't be ignored.
The good news? Social skills can be taught, practiced, and mastered—just like any other skill.
Sign #1: They Have Few or No Close Friendships
What you might notice:
Your teen rarely mentions friends or social plans
They spend most weekends alone or with family
When asked about friends, they mention online acquaintances or people they barely know
They seem genuinely confused about how friendships work
Why this matters: Quality friendships aren't just nice to have—they're essential for emotional development, mental health, and learning important life skills like empathy, compromise, and communication.
How PEERS® helps: Our program teaches the concrete steps for making and maintaining friendships, including how to identify appropriate "sources of friends" and the "trading information" technique for finding common interests. We break down the friendship process into manageable, teachable steps.
Sign #2: They Struggle with Basic Conversation Skills
What you might notice:
Conversations feel one-sided—they either don't contribute or dominate completely
They interrupt frequently or wait too long to respond
They struggle to stay on topic or bring up inappropriate subjects
They miss social cues like when someone wants to end a conversation
The hidden impact: Poor conversation skills create a cycle of social rejection that can severely impact self-esteem and willingness to try again.
How PEERS® helps: We teach specific conversation techniques like:
The art of "trading information" to build connections
How to enter and exit conversations gracefully
Reading social cues and responding appropriately
Balancing talking and listening in two-way conversations
Sign #3: They're Frequently Bullied or Teased
What you might notice:
They come home upset about being picked on
They avoid certain places or activities due to peer problems
They don't know how to respond to teasing appropriately
They may become either too passive or too aggressive in response
The deeper issue: Teens who lack social skills often become targets because they don't know how to navigate peer hierarchies or respond to social challenges effectively.
How PEERS® helps: Our program includes specific modules on:
Handling teasing and verbal attacks appropriately
Strategies for dealing with bullying and physical threats
How to change a bad reputation
Understanding social hierarchies and finding your place
Sign #4: They Experience High Social Anxiety
What you might notice:
They avoid social situations or become extremely anxious beforehand
Physical symptoms like stomachaches before school or social events
They overthink social interactions obsessively
They assume the worst about what others think of them
The connection: Social anxiety often stems from not knowing what to do in social situations. When teens lack concrete social skills, every interaction feels unpredictable and threatening.
How PEERS® helps: By providing clear, step-by-step instructions for social situations, we reduce the uncertainty that fuels anxiety. When teens know exactly what to do and say, their confidence naturally increases.
Sign #5: They Misuse Technology for Social Connection
What you might notice:
They have many online "friends" but no real-world relationships
They share too much personal information on social media
They accept friend requests from strangers
They use electronic communication inappropriately (texting too much, oversharing in emails)
The risk: While technology can enhance existing friendships, it can't replace the deep social skills needed for meaningful connections—and misuse can harm their reputation and safety.
How PEERS® helps: We teach appropriate electronic communication as part of our curriculum, including:
When and how to use different forms of digital communication
Social media safety and privacy
How to strengthen existing friendships online without replacing face-to-face interaction
Red Flags That Require Immediate Attention
Seek professional support immediately if your teen:
Expresses thoughts of self-harm due to social rejection
Shows signs of depression or withdrawal from all activities
Experiences panic attacks related to social situations
Engages in risky online behaviour to gain social acceptance
The PEERS® Difference: Evidence-Based, Structured Support
Unlike generic social skills advice, the PEERS® program is:
Research-backed: Developed at UCLA with proven effectiveness for teens with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and other social challenges.
Concrete and specific: We don't tell teens to "just be yourself." Instead, we provide step-by-step instructions for real social situations.
Parent-inclusive: Parents learn alongside teens and become "social coaches," providing ongoing support and practice opportunities.
Comprehensive: Our 14-week program covers everything from basic conversation skills to handling complex social challenges like rumors and disagreements.
What to Expect from PEERS® Training
For Teens:
Weekly 60-minute sessions covering specific social skills
Homework assignments to practice skills in real-world settings
Assessment tools to track progress and identify areas for growth
A supportive group environment with peers facing similar challenges
For Parents:
Parallel training sessions to learn how to support your teen
Specific strategies for coaching social skills at home
Help identifying appropriate social opportunities in your community
Tools for monitoring and supporting your teen's social development
Assessment Tools We Use
To ensure we're meeting your teen's specific needs, we use evidence-based assessment tools including:
Test of Adolescent Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)
Social Anxiety Scale
Friendship Quality Scale
Quality of Socialisation Questionnaire
These help us understand your teen's current skill level and track their progress throughout the program.
Taking the First Step
If you recognise your teen in these signs, you're not alone—and more importantly, there's hope. Social skills can be learned at any age, and the structured approach of PEERS® has helped thousands of teens develop meaningful friendships and social confidence.
Remember:
Social struggles aren't a character flaw—they're a skills gap that can be addressed
Early intervention leads to better outcomes
Your teen wants to connect with others; they just need the right tools
With proper support, most teens can develop satisfying social relationships
Ready to Help Your Teen Thrive Socially?
Don't wait for your teen to "grow out of" social difficulties. The teenage years are crucial for developing social skills that will serve them throughout their adult life.
Our PEERS® program provides the structured, evidence-based support your teen needs to build genuine friendships and social confidence.
Is your teen showing signs they need social skills support? Our PEERS® program offers evidence-based training specifically designed for neurodivergent youth aged 12-18+. We provide both individual and group sessions, with NDIS funding available.
Take the first step today:
Phone: 0408 707 866
Free 15-minute consultation available. Online sessions across Australia, in-person sessions in Melbourne's outer east (Yarra Ranges, Casey, Knox).
