Table 4.

Acceptability ratings by group. The PEERS program was evaluated by the following ratings: (1) strongly disagree, (2) disagree, (3) slightly disagree, (4) neutral, (5) slightly agree, (6) agree, and (7) strongly agree.

	Cohort 1 (Fall 2021)	Cohort 2 (Spring 2022)	Cohort 1 and 2
	Mean (±SD)	Mean (±SD)	Mean (±SD)
This is an acceptable program for learning strategies to improve my social relationships.	5.8 (1.14)	6.29 (0.76)	6 (1)
I enjoyed this program.	5.8 (1.14)	6.71 (0.49)	6.18 (1.01)
I would suggest this program to other autistic adults.	5.8 (1.03)	6.43 (0.53)	6.06 (0.9)
The lessons were clear and understandable.	6.3 (0.82)	6.43 (0.53)	6.35 (0.7)
The amount of support I received was sufficient for me to learn the program strategies.	6.5 (0.71)	6.29 (0.49)	6.41 (0.62)
The group leaders were knowledgeable.	6.1 (0.99)	6.86 (0.38)	6.41 (0.87)
The goals of the program were important to my functioning at home and in the community.	5.2 (1.75)	6.29 (0.49)	5.65 (1.46)
I use the strategies I learned during this program in my daily life.	5.5 (1.08)	5.71 (1.25)	5.59 (1.12)
I understand how to use the techniques I learned in my daily life.	6.1 (0.88)	6.14 (0.69)	6.12 (0.78)
I understand which strategies I am working on and why.	5.7 (0.95)	5.29 (1.8)	5.53 (1.33)
The homework assignments were clear.	6.4 (0.52)	6.57 (0.53)	6.47 (0.51)
The homework assignments were manageable.	6.1 (1.2)	5.86 (1.35)	6 (1.22)
The program was effective in teaching me new strategies to improve my social relationships.	5.5 (1.08)	6.43 (0.53)	5.88 (0.99)
I feel that I improved my social relationships as a result of this program.	5.6 (1.07)	6.29 (1.11)	5.88 (1.11)
The program will produce lasting improvement in my social relationships.	5.5 (1.18)	6.29 (0.76)	5.82 (1.07)
I use the strategies I learned from this program regularly.	5.5 (0.85)	6 (1.41)	5.71 (1.1)
I will continue to use the strategies I learned after the program is over.	5.9 (0.99)	6.29 (0.76)	6.06 (0.9)

Note. Survey items were adapted from [25].