Social Integration Strategies for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Course Code: REL-IDD-0-SSIIASD

Hours: 0.75

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 9/30/2026

Learning Objectives:
Explain the value of social relationships and integration.
Identify common social barriers for people with ASD.
Describe strategies for supporting a person with ASD to integrate socially.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Relationships and Barriers

The Value of Relationships

A Range of Needs

ASD Affects Relationships

Repetition

Communication

Interaction

Sensory Processing

Integration and Inclusion

Review

Summary

Section 3: Support Strategies

Meet Karina

Making Friends

What Karina Needs

Karina’s Passion

Explain Social Expectations

Social Stories

Create Structure

Teach Others

Meet People Where They Are

Meet Rodney

What Rodney Needs

Set the Tone

Address Sensory Needs

Accept Coping Mechanisms

Start Small and Build Up

Offer Choices

Review

Summary

Section 4: Conclusion

Summary

Course Contributors

Resources

References

Congratulations!

Instructor: Katy Kunst, MBA, QIDP

Katy Kunst received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Master of Business Administration from Elon University. She has 15 years of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their supporters, including roles as direct support professional, program director, and training facilitator. She has created and facilitated training on topics including non-violent crisis interventions, person-centered planning, cultural competence, quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and a variety of topics related to IDD services.

Expert Reviewer: Rhonda Davin, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Dr. Rhonda Davin is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 25 years of experience in the fields of developmental disabilities and autism. She has served the field as a teacher, college professor, consultant, and expert witness. She started Behavior Consulting Services which provided direct behavior analytic services to children with autism and their families. She has supervised and mentored several behavior analysts and service providers currently practicing in the field today. Dr. Davin has also provided technical assistance for large-scale organizational change efforts in the area of Positive Behavior Supports.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Direct Support Professionals; in the following settings: Intellectual Developmental Disabilities.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.