Making Peer-Mediated Interventions Work in Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide for Students With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) often experience limited social interactions and have difficulty developing friendships in secondary school settings. Peer-mediated interventions (PMIs) are an evidence-based practice for improving social communication skills by leveraging peer partners to support skill development in natural settings. Despite this evidence, practitioners may require additional guidance to effectively select and implement PMIs in secondary schools. The purpose of this article is to provide supports to educators as they implement three PMIs: peer initiation, peer networks, and peer support arrangements. We briefly summarize each intervention and provide guidance for selecting and implementing an appropriate intervention based on student needs. A brief case vignette for each PMI is included as well. We provide tools, including checklists, a decision tree, and strategy templates to support effective implementation.