THE ROLE OF AINUL YAKIN ISLAMIC BOARDING COMMUNITY IN ENHANCING THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONING OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: AN ISLAMIC EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE BASED ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (HBSE)
Abstract
Children with autism often experience difficulties in communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation, which can negatively affect their social functioning. Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping adaptive behavior, as supportive and structured environments can facilitate behavioral development. This study aims to examine the role of the Ainul Yakin Islamic Boarding Community as a therapeutic social environment in enhancing the social functioning of children with autism from the perspective of Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE). This research employed a qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured in-depth interviews with caregivers, therapists, and institutional administrators, and document analysis of student development reports. The findings indicate that the boarding community functions as an integrated environmental system that combines structured routines, emotional support, social interaction, and spiritual practices. These environmental components contribute to improvements in emotional regulation, social interaction, independence, and behavioral compliance. The findings also demonstrate that adaptive behavior development is influenced by continuous interaction between individual characteristics and environmental systems. From the HBSE perspective, the boarding community functions as both a microsystem and mesosystem that facilitates adaptive functioning through consistent environmental support. This study concludes that community-based caregiving environments can serve as effective intervention systems for improving the social functioning of children with autism. The Islamic boarding community model provides an alternative framework for environment-based social work practice that emphasizes environmental integration, structured caregiving, and holistic developmental support.
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