Interactive Virtual Workday Training for Autism

Overseen By Matthew J Smith, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Traumatic brain injury, Vision, Hearing, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their workplace communication skills. The researchers will test a new computerized training tool, "Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday," which simulates real workday interactions, such as conversations with customers, coworkers, and supervisors. The tool seeks to enhance social skills, reduce anxiety in work settings, and promote long-term employment. Suitable participants include individuals with ASD who are at least 16 years old and have been screened using a specific parent-report tool. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could significantly improve workplace experiences for individuals with ASD.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this computerized training tool is safe for youth with autism spectrum disorder?

Research has shown that computerized training tools for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are generally well-liked and can help improve real-life skills. One such tool, Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday, is being developed to help young people with ASD enhance communication at work.

Previous studies have found that similar virtual reality programs allow participants to practice social skills in a safe setting. These programs are designed to be fun and easy to use, making them attractive to users. Reports have indicated no serious side effects from these training tools, suggesting they are well-tolerated.

As Work Chat is still in development, it is important to note that these virtual tools usually focus on teaching and building skills. They do not involve medication or physical treatments, which lowers the risk of side effects. This makes them a safer choice for helping young people with ASD improve their social skills. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Interactive Virtual Workday Training for Autism because it offers a fresh approach to helping individuals with autism transition into the workplace. Unlike standard transition services that provide general support, this new method includes a unique "Work Chat" intervention. It uses an interactive virtual platform to simulate real workday scenarios, providing participants with a safe space to practice skills like communication and problem-solving. This innovative approach could bridge the gap between traditional learning and real-world application, potentially leading to better job outcomes for individuals with autism.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving work-based social functioning in youth with autism?

Research shows that Work Chat, a computer-based training tool, helps autistic youth improve their communication skills at work. In this trial, one group will receive Standard Transition Services plus the Work Chat intervention, while another group will receive only Standard Transition Services. Studies suggest that almost 90% of job losses for young people with autism result from difficulties with social interactions at work. Work Chat aims to improve users' ability to understand social signals and manage emotions during workplace conversations. Previous research has found that virtual training programs can successfully enhance job skills, such as performing well in job interviews, for autistic individuals. The interactive features of Work Chat, including simulated conversations and a virtual workday setting, are expected to offer practical, real-world benefits. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Matthew J Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18-26 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who can read at a 4th-grade level or higher. Participants must either have an ASD diagnosis confirmed by parent report on the Social Responsivity Scale or have an ASD record with MCTI.

Inclusion Criteria

You have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a doctor, or have taken a test called the Social Responsivity Scale 2nd Edition (SRS-2) and scored 65 points or higher.

You can read and understand at a 4th grade level or above.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development and Iterative Feedback

Complete Work Chat development using an iterative process with feedback from Phase I participants and advisory boards

Not specified

Treatment

Participants receive the Work Chat intervention over a series of weeks, estimated at 15-18 hours of training

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained employment and other outcomes

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday

Trial Overview The 'Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday' tool is being tested to improve workplace communication skills in individuals with ASD. It includes e-learning, simulated conversations using PeopleSim technology, and a virtual workday environment where early actions affect later interactions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard Transition Services + Work Chat Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will receive services as usual plus the Work Chat intervention over a series of a few weeks. We estimate approximately 15-18 hours of training will occur.

Group II: Standard Transition Services Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm will receive services as usual.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

SIMmersion, LLC

Industry Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

1,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Michigan State University

Collaborator

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI)

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

300+

University of Pittsburgh

Collaborator

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

Video modeling (VM) is an effective evidence-based practice for teaching job skills to autistic individuals, with a strong overall effect size of 0.91 based on a meta-analysis of 20 studies involving transition-aged youth and young adults.

Most studies on VM were conducted in controlled or school-based settings rather than competitive integrated employment (CIE) environments, highlighting the need for further research in real-world job settings to better understand its effectiveness for autistic employees earning regular wages.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Meta-Analysis of Video Modeling Interventions to Enhance Job Skills of Autistic Adolescents and Adults. Bross, LA., Travers, JC., Huffman, JM., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10338963/

Enhancing pre-employment transition services: A type 1 ... A type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating WorkChat: A Virtual Workday among autistic transition-age youth.

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-autistic-disorder-9-2022-ce295

Interactive Virtual Workday Training for Autism Research shows nearly 90% of job dismissals among TAY-ASD are attributed to poor work-based social functioning (e.g., poorly communicating with upset customers) ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/371391695_Enhancing_pre-employment_transition_services_A_type_1_hybrid_randomized_controlled_trial_protocol_for_evaluating_WorkChat_A_virtual_workday_among_autistic_transition-age_youth

Enhancing pre-employment transition services: A type 1 ... In an effort to help enhance conversational abilities in the workplace, our collaborative team partnered to develop WorkChat: A Virtual Workday.

4. poverty.umich.edu poverty.umich.edu/faculty-project/an-initial-study-of-workchat-acceptability-feasibility-and-efficacy-among-individuals-with-psychosis-spectrum-disorders/

An Initial Study of WorkChat Acceptability, Feasibility, and ... Notably, WorkChat was developed in partnership with the autism community and has never been evaluated among individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders.

5. liebertpub.com liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25739581251359517

The Preliminary Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ... The results suggest that our VR training program is both feasible and effective in enhancing job interview skills among autistic adults, demonstrating its ...

6. worksupport.com worksupport.com/research/documents/pdf/mcdonaldhurfordetal2025embracingthefutureartificialintelligenceintheprovisionofpreemploymenttransition.pdf

Artificial intelligence in the provision of pre- employment ... (2023) set out to develop WorkChat: A Virtual. Workday, a program that aims to enhance role-play training to support social abilities in Autistic transition- ...

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10522263241312734

Artificial intelligence in the provision of pre-employment ... Group-based online job interview training program using virtual robot for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. ... WorkChat: A virtual workday among ...