Virtual Interview Training for Autism

Recruiting at 15 trial locations

Overseen By Brittany Ross

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Not in transition services

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 6 weeks

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the study is to see if an internet job interview training program can help people that have autism improve interview skills and access to jobs. Participants will be randomized to use Virtual Interview Training (VIT) or continue services as usual (active control group).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Interview Training (VIT) for autism?

Research shows that virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT), similar to VIT, helped adults with autism improve their performance in job interviews and increased their self-confidence. Additionally, virtual interactive training agents (ViTA) have been shown to boost self-efficacy in job interviews for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Virtual Interview Training for Autism safe for participants?

The research on interventions for young autistic children shows that adverse events (physical or psychological distress) and adverse effects (caused by the intervention) are not often reported, with only a few studies mentioning them. This suggests a need for more systematic reporting to better understand the safety of such interventions. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does Virtual Interview Training (VIT) differ from other treatments for autism?

Virtual Interview Training (VIT) is unique because it uses virtual interactive training agents to help individuals with autism improve their job interview skills through role-play and experiential learning, which is not typically addressed by other treatments. This approach focuses on building self-confidence and practical skills in a simulated environment, making it distinct from traditional therapies. ^{2 5 11 12 13}

Research Team

Matthew Smith

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for high-school students with autism who are currently receiving pre-employment transition services, can read at a fourth-grade level or higher, and are either unemployed or seeking a job. Those not enrolled in such transition services cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants are enrolled in high-school based pre-employment transition services

Participants have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum

Participants have at least a fourth-grade reading level

Exclusion Criteria

Not enrolled in a high-school based pre-employment transition services

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo assessments about background, employment history, mood, autistic traits, and mental health issues

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive Virtual Interview Training or continue services as usual

6 weeks

Weekly virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in job interview skills, work readiness, and employment status

9 months

Periodic virtual assessments

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Virtual Interview Training (VIT)

Trial Overview The study is testing whether an online Virtual Interview Training (VIT) program can help autistic youth improve their job interview skills and increase employment opportunities compared to the usual support services they receive.

Participant Groups

Group I: Virtual Interview Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Services-as-usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Findings from Research

Out of 150 studies on non-medication interventions for young autistic children, only 11 reported any adverse events, highlighting a significant gap in safety reporting in this area of research.

Among the studies that did report on participant withdrawal, 10 identified reasons that could be classified as adverse events, suggesting that researchers need to improve their methods for tracking and reporting these occurrences to better inform families and professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse event reporting in intervention research for young autistic children. Bottema-Beutel, K., Crowley, S., Sandbank, M., et al.[2023]

The My JAKE app was successfully used by 144 caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to log daily symptoms and behaviors over an 8- to 10-week period, showing that real-time reporting can effectively capture behavioral data.

Caregivers reported high satisfaction with the app, with over 50% expressing interest in continuing its use beyond the study, indicating that mHealth tools like My JAKE could enhance the accuracy of symptom tracking and improve the understanding of ASD interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver Daily Reporting of Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Observational Study Using Web and Mobile Apps. Bangerter, A., Manyakov, NV., Lewin, D., et al.[2023]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Evaluation of Real-Time Feedback Delivered Via Telehealth: Training Staff to Conduct Preference Assessments. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief Report: Improving Employment Interview Self-efficacy Among Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Using Virtual Interactive Training Agents (ViTA). [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Giving the patients less work": A thematic analysis of telehealth use and recommendations to improve usability for autistic adults. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a Telehealth Training Package to Remotely Teach Caregivers to Conduct Discrete-Trial Instruction. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse event reporting in intervention research for young autistic children. [2023]

7. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver Daily Reporting of Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Observational Study Using Web and Mobile Apps. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"It was surprisingly equivalent to the appointment I had in person": Advantages and disadvantages of synchronous telehealth for delivering primary care for autistic adults. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of Video Feedback Within a Community Based Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Program for Toddlers With ASD: Pilot Study. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-based training in early autism screening: results from a pilot study. [2021]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Virtual Interactive Training Agents (ViTA) with Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. [2019]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A new group-based online job interview training program using computer graphics robots for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. [2023]

13. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group-Based Online Job Interview Training Program Using Virtual Robot for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders. [2022]