Chill for Autism

First established in Brisbane in 2017, Code Blue for Autism designed and developed a social skills coaching program for young adults 18+ on the autism spectrum. Since then, they have become the industry leaders in this sector by delivering a series of Chill programs using an evidence-based curriculum, along with peer mentoring and focusing on creative play to increase confidence, social skills and self-esteem within young adults on the spectrum. These programs address four (4) critical areas of need: 1. Social skills coaching that is evidence-based and utilises peer mentoring to support the development of the necessary social skills to establish and maintain a healthy long-term social network. 2. Better access & inclusion to mainstream community events. 3. Empower young adults with ASD to self-direct their social choices. 4. Increase community involvement in the social lives of young adults with ASD through its peer mentoring programs. What is CHILL!? CHILL! is a structured interventional social coaching program based upon the PEERS® Program (The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills). Developed at the UCLA Centre for Autism Research and Treatment, PEERS® is unique to any other social skills training program as it is the only evidence–based social coaching program available worldwide. We optimise the social engagement opportunities for participants by adapting the PEERS® program to ensure it has a uniquely Australian voice. Research tells us that social behaviour can be learned through observing, copying, practising, repetition and role-play. CHILL! uses a variety of workshop formats ranging from video illustration, peer demonstrations, role-play and social situation rehearsals. Popular culture mediums of drama, music, audio-visual and social media are used to ensure relevance and optimal engagement. Trained peer mentors assist the participants each week and are involved in all workshops at a ratio of one peer mentor to three participants.