ONLINE COURSE: Autism & Social Connection: Building Meaningful Friendships

What does a successful outcome look like for an autistic person? Jed Baker explores this question through self-determination, a sense of belonging, and quality of life. His neuroaffirmative framework emphasizes working collaboratively with individuals to identify what they want from their relationships and daily experiences. Through examples from clinical practice and school settings, he shows how personal strengths and interests can guide support, while environmental adjustments can make social participation more comfortable and rewarding.

The course provides a structured approach to choosing meaningful goals, establishing motivation, and teaching relevant skills. Participants will explore how to identify barriers to engagement, account for emotional regulation needs, and select methods suited to different levels of language comprehension. Baker demonstrates approaches ranging from photographs, choice boards, and visual sequences to explicit instruction and guided rehearsal. He also explains how preparation before an interaction, coaching during it, and review afterward can help individuals use their skills across everyday settings.

Practical examples cover interactive play, reciprocal conversation, friendship development, online communication, and dating in adulthood. Baker considers how experiences of rejection and bullying can affect confidence, and how accepting peers and gradual participation can support renewed engagement. Topics include trust, personal boundaries, and online safety, alongside ways to evaluate whether support is making a meaningful difference. Progress is considered in terms of everyday participation, relationship quality, reduced loneliness, and the person’s own experience of connection.

Year of publication 2026 | 130 minutes of on-demand video | 12-Month Access