Online Work Chat Program for Autism

Overseen By Matthew J Smith, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 weeks

90 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is aiming to see if it is feasible for the intervention Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting to adults with autism spectrum disorder.

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 Work Chat for autism?

Research on internet-based interventions for adults with autism suggests that online formats can be effective and accessible, allowing individuals to work on their treatment independently and interact with others in a safe environment. This indicates that an online work chat program could potentially be beneficial for individuals with autism by providing a flexible and supportive communication platform. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Online Work Chat Program for Autism safe for humans?

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 frequently reported, suggesting a need for better tracking. A web-based system for tracking minor adverse events has been used in various clinical protocols, helping to identify unexpected patterns and improve safety. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the Online Work Chat Program for Autism differ from other treatments for autism?

The Online Work Chat Program for Autism is unique because it focuses on improving communication and job skills through an online platform, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with autism who may struggle with traditional in-person job training. This program leverages technology to provide a flexible and accessible way to enhance social and occupational skills, setting it apart from more conventional, face-to-face interventions. ^{5 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Matthew J Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are employed, have at least a 4th-grade reading level, and can access the internet with a camera-equipped computer or tablet (not a smartphone).

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

Has a 4th grade or higher reading level

Employed or Unemployed and searching for employment within the next 3 months

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in the Work Chat simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations

6 weeks

Online sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social competence, theory of mind, managing emotions, and emotion recognition ability

9 months

Online surveys at 3, 6, and 9 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Work Chat

Trial Overview The study is testing 'Work Chat,' an intervention designed to be delivered online to see if it's practical and helpful for adults on the autism spectrum.

Participant Groups

Group I: Work Chat Now Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Behavioral: Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting.

Group II: Work Chat Later Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will not receive Work Chat during the study, but will receive Work Chat access after data collection is complete.

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+

SIMmersion, LLC

Industry Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

1,000+

Findings from Research

The study involved 40 children aged 9 to 15 with autism spectrum disorder, comparing a communication app to the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for facilitating dentist-patient interactions.

The app significantly reduced the number of attempts needed to communicate effectively and decreased the number of dental appointments required for preventive care compared to PECS, indicating its greater efficacy in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Communication Application for Use During the First Dental Visit for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Zink, AG., Molina, EC., Diniz, MB., et al.[2019]

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 interdisciplinary review team (IRT) model for monitoring psychotropic medications in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emphasizes a collaborative approach involving medical professionals, behavior analysts, and parents, which aims to standardize treatment effectiveness evaluations.

Case studies showed that this model can lead to successful medication reduction or elimination, highlighting the importance of data-driven decision-making and administrative support in improving treatment outcomes for children with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychotropic Medication Monitoring in a Human Services Organization for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Description and Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Team Review. Bird, F., Harper, JM., Luiselli, JK., et al.[2022]

The web-based adverse event tracking system (eAETS) has effectively supported 175 clinical protocols over four years, capturing 2,440 adverse event reports, including minor symptoms that could indicate serious issues.

Out of the reported AEs, 1,053 did not align with the initial risk profiles, leading to corrective recommendations in 13% of the protocols, highlighting the system's role in enhancing subject safety by identifying unanticipated patterns.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of minor adverse event tracking on subject safety: a web-based system. Shenvi, NV., Gebhart, SS.[2009]

The Footsteps app was developed to improve data collection practices among one-to-one aides working with children with autism, addressing challenges like labor-intensive methods and lack of supervisor feedback.

In testing with 10 aides and supervisors, 90% rated the app's usability as good or excellent, indicating strong potential for enhancing data collection and monitoring client progress in behavioral interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Making Progress Monitoring Easier and More Motivating: Developing a Client Data Collection App Incorporating User-Centered Design and Behavioral Economics Insights. Nuske, HJ., Buck, J., Ramesh, B., et al.[2023]

Kaien's approach to job training for individuals with autism spectrum disorders emphasizes hands-on experience in work environments, allowing participants to discover their occupational fit through trial sessions rather than just counseling.

The organization highlights the importance of frequent, real-time feedback from trainers and the potential for non-experts to effectively support individuals with autism in the workplace, suggesting that a broader range of people can contribute to their success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Vocational Training and Job Placement for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Business Sector]. Suzuki, K.[2015]

Remote interventions like the SPAN program can significantly enhance motivation and engagement in autistic adolescents and young adults during intervention processes.

Feedback from 15 stakeholders helped shape adaptations of SPAN for autistic AYA, leading to the development of a new SPAN-ASD website and intervention manual, with plans for future usability testing and pilot studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social Participation and Navigation: Formative Evaluation of a Remote Intervention for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults. Lamash, L., Gal, E., Bedell, G.[2023]

References

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

Communication Application for Use During the First Dental Visit for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combined social communication therapy at home and in education for young autistic children in England (PACT-G): a parallel, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet Based Intervention for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Qualitative Study of Participants Experiences. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching Children with Autism to Initiate and Respond to Peer Mands Using Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). [2020]

5. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

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

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychotropic Medication Monitoring in a Human Services Organization for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Description and Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Team Review. [2022]

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

The impact of minor adverse event tracking on subject safety: a web-based system. [2009]

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

Making Progress Monitoring Easier and More Motivating: Developing a Client Data Collection App Incorporating User-Centered Design and Behavioral Economics Insights. [2023]

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

Outpatient Procedural Sedation of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorders for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain Using Propofol. [2019]

11. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Vocational Training and Job Placement for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Business Sector]. [2015]

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

Social Participation and Navigation: Formative Evaluation of a Remote Intervention for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults. [2023]

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

A smart-phone application and a companion website for the improvement of the communication skills of children with autism: clinical rationale, technical development and preliminary results. [2021]