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What is peer to peer support?

Educational programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) should include goals for improving social competency with both adults and peers (National Research Council, 2001) and peer mediated interventions are well-documented as an evidence based practice for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2010; National Standards Project, 2010). The state of Michigan is fortunate to have a comprehensive, well-formulated peer support model, called LINKS, which has been implemented, promoted, and supported by educators, parents, and students for many years.

 

How does peer to peer support benefit students?

The purpose of peer to peer support programs is to provide increased opportunity for students with ASD to access general education students and the general education curriculum. Peers, called “LINKS,” model typical academic and social behavior in educational environments throughout the school day and thus provide support for students with ASD to promote independence and socialization. 

LINKS, in return, gain increased skills in organization, responsibility, problem solving, decision-making, and accountability (Koppang, 2003). Other benefits for LINKS include improvements in academic competence (Cushing & Kennedy, 1997; Hunt, Staub, Alwell, & Goetz, 1994) increased awareness and greater understanding of disabilities (Carter, Hughes, Copeland, & Breen, 2001; Copeland et al., 2004; Downing, Eichinger, & Williams, 1997) and the development of new skills (Alper & Ryndak, 1992).  Additionally, at-risk students and students with other academic and behavioral issues serving as LINKS learn to utilize their differences as strengths in supporting students with ASD.  Benefits to these at risk students serving as LINKS can include decreased behavior referrals, increased grades, and increased attendance (Cushing & Kennedy, 1997).

The LINK program addresses the effort mandated by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (MDE OSE-EIS) to reduce the number of special education eligible students in separate learning environments (SPP 5). LINK support allows students with ASD to have more regular access to general education environments and curriculum through peer modeling and mentoring, which leads to greater academic and social success across their school day. Given the increased number of students with ASD in Michigan over the last 10 years, this program results in a significant number of special education eligible students having access to general education learning environments.

 

Who is implementing peer to peer support in Michigan?

Starting in 1990, the LINK program was implemented school-wide at several elementary schools, two middle schools and the high school in Clarkston. In the past several years, staff and administrators from schools across Michigan have received training to replicate the LINKS model. At this time, there are over 75 peer to peer support programs supporting students with ASD across the state operating at both a small and large scale for students from elementary to high school. The peer to peer program in Saginaw Township has run a highly successful program and received the 2008 Education Excellence Award by the Michigan Association of School Boards in the area of Health and Safety.

 

What is involved in starting a LINK peer to peer support program?

Implementation of the LINKS program involves school staff commitment and training, recruitment and training of general education peers, ongoing problem solving with students and school staff, and regular celebration of the LINKS program students. At the elementary level, general education students receive training to provide friendship and support through a reverse inclusion model or with students with ASD in their own classroom. At the secondary level, general education students may take an elective course to learn skills to become a LINK for a student with ASD. Each student with ASD is supported by several general education peers over the course of a school day in both classroom and non-classroom environments.

 

For more information about developing a LINK peer to peer support program, see the START peer to peer support module and the LINK curriculum.