Virtual Interview Training for Autism

Enrolling by invitation 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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people with autism improve their job interview skills through an internet-based training program. Participants will either use the Virtual Interview Training (VIT) or continue with their usual services. The goal is to determine if VIT better prepares them for job interviews and increases their chances of getting hired. This trial may suit those diagnosed with autism who are involved in pre-employment transition services, can read at a third-grade level, and are seeking employment. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative training methods that could enhance job prospects.

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 prior data suggests that Virtual Interview Training is safe for people with autism?

Research has shown that Virtual Interview Training (VIT) is safe for participants. An initial study found VIT effective in improving job interview skills and reducing anxiety. Over 300 young people with various disabilities, including autism, found VIT easy to use. Program leaders and teachers also considered it very suitable for job training. No negative effects have been reported from using this training. Overall, evidence suggests that VIT is a well-tolerated and safe method to enhance interview skills. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Virtual Interview Training (VIT) for autism because it offers a new approach to improving social communication skills, specifically targeting the challenges faced during job interviews. Unlike traditional methods that rely on in-person coaching or therapy, VIT leverages digital platforms, making it more accessible and potentially less intimidating for individuals with autism. This virtual method allows for repetitive practice in a safe environment, which could lead to improved confidence and performance in real-world settings.

What evidence suggests that Virtual Interview Training is effective for improving interview skills in people with autism?

Research has shown that Virtual Interview Training (VIT), which participants in this trial may receive, can help people with autism improve their job interview skills. One study demonstrated that using virtual reality for job interview practice helped adults with autism perform better in interviews. Another study found that young autistic adults improved their interview skills after participating in a virtual training program. This training uses virtual reality to simulate real-life interview situations, allowing participants to practice and build confidence. Overall, early findings suggest that VIT could be a useful tool for enhancing job interview skills for those on the autism spectrum. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Matthew Smith

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4167908/

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in Adults with Autism ...

The feasibility and efficacy of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) was assessed in a single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

2.

dol.gov

dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ODEP/pdf/Compliant-REYAAS-Effectiveness-Lit-Review_508c.pdf

Evidence on the Effectiveness of Programs, Models, and ...

“Virtual Reality Job. Interview Training in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ... Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders at Six Months ...

3.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8324503/

Virtual Interview Training for Autistic Transition Age Youth

Virtual interview training for autistic transition age youth: a randomized controlled feasibility and effectiveness trial.

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050656525001348

Bridging the gap: Exploring the potential of virtual reality for ...

Systematic reviews highlighted the potential of interventions, including Virtual Reality (VR) job interview training, to improve autistic employment outcomes ( ...

5.

kesslerfoundation.org

kesslerfoundation.org/press-release/virtual-reality-job-interview-training-may-improve-interview-skills-students-autism

Virtual reality job interview training may improve ...

The results provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of this tool for improving interviewing skills in students on the autism spectrum. “By ...

6.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865424001315

A type 1 hybrid multi-site randomized controlled trial ...

A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated VIT-TAY's feasibility and initial effectiveness at improving job interview skills, reducing anxiety, and ...

7.

blind.msstate.edu

blind.msstate.edu/sites/www.blind.msstate.edu/files/2025-01/Steverson%20et%20al%20%282025%29%20Evaluating%20the%20usability%20of%20VIT-TAY.pdf

Evaluating the Usability of Virtual Interview Training

More than 300 transition-age youth with various disabilities (e.g., specific learning disability, autism) self-reported VIT-TAY as highly usable ...

8.

worksupport.com

worksupport.com/research/documents/pdf/jvr_2023_582_jvr582jvr230004_jvr58jvr230004.pdf

Mixed methods implementation evaluation of virtual ...

RESULTS:Quantitative survey data revealed that leaders and teachers found VIT-TAY to be highly acceptable and appropriate for pre-employment ...