Supported Employment for Autism

Overseen By Jo A. Yon Hernandez, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Not interested in employment

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 months

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT)?

Research shows that the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program, originally developed for serious mental illness, helped young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) achieve competitive employment and improve independence. Additionally, employment has been shown to provide therapeutic benefits for individuals with ASD, enhancing their independence and overall well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Supported Employment for Autism safe for humans?

The research on Supported Employment for Autism, including programs like Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT), does not report any safety concerns. These programs focus on helping individuals with autism find and keep jobs, and there is no evidence suggesting they are unsafe for participants. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

How is the treatment Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT) different from other treatments for autism?

The Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT) treatment is unique because it focuses on providing personalized support to help autistic individuals find and maintain employment, which is often a challenge for them. Unlike other treatments that may focus on general skills or therapy, IPS-AUT specifically targets job placement and retention, offering tailored support and training to meet the individual's needs in the workplace. ^{4 5 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study aims to enhance employment outcomes for young adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the implementation of an evidence-based supported employment model known as Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT). The study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of IPS-AUT in promoting Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). The trial will involve partnerships with supported employment agencies, training providers in IPS-AUT, and assessing employment outcomes and implementation factors. The ultimate goal is to create a scalable, evidence-based employment support model for individuals with autism.

Research Team

Marjorie Solomon, PhD, MBA

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults aged 21-40 in California with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities who are not currently employed but seeking work. They must have a community diagnosis of autism, be able to read at a minimum 4th-grade level, and be clients of supported employment agencies.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 21 and 40 years old.

California supported employment agency clients meeting the following criteria:

Minimum 4th-grade reading level (approximately mild ID)

Exclusion Criteria

Not interested in employment

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Agencies deliver IPS services to participants for a duration of 12 months

12 months

Monthly reports and meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment outcomes and satisfaction after the treatment phase

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT)

Trial Overview The study tests the Individual Placement and Support Model (IPS-AUT) aimed at improving job outcomes for autistic individuals. It involves training providers in IPS-AUT, partnering with employment agencies, and measuring how well it helps participants get competitive jobs.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Group - Agencies Receiving IPS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participating agencies will be randomized, with 2/3 of agencies receiving IPS first. The estimated total number of agencies = 6 (each referring 10 consumers), meaning that 4 agencies (40 clients) would be assigned to receive IPS training first. These agencies will be expected to deliver IPS services for a duration of 12 months.

Group II: Control Group - Agencies Receiving Supportive Employment Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

One third of the agencies (approximately 2 agencies and 20 consumers) will be assigned to the wait-list control group will continue to provide their usual services during the first 12 months. In addition, clients of these agencies will be offered a Supportive Employment Intervention, which includes weekly sessions offering support with some help on employment-related skills such as resume building, job interviewing, and workplace communication strategies.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Findings from Research

In a multisite randomized clinical trial, 73.4% of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in the Project SEARCH plus ASD Supports (PS+ASD) program gained competitive integrated employment (CIE) within one year of graduation, compared to only 17% in the control group.

Participants in the PS+ASD program showed improvements across all measured domains, while the control group only improved in one domain, highlighting the broader therapeutic benefits of employment for individuals with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Business Internships Model and Employment on Enhancing the Independence of Young Adults With Significant Impact From Autism. Schall, C., Sima, AP., Avellone, L., et al.[2021]

The Integrated Employment Success Tool (IESTTM) was developed to enhance employers' skills in hiring and supporting employees on the autism spectrum, and its effectiveness was validated through a randomized controlled trial involving 29 employers.

Employers found the IESTTM useful for increasing their knowledge about autism and implementing workplace strategies, but over 60% expressed a need for an online version to improve usability, highlighting a barrier to its broader application.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Process evaluation of an autism-specific workplace tool for employers. Scott, M., Falkmer, M., Kuzminski, R., et al.[2022]

A retrospective review of 64 individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) showed that 98.4% successfully secured competitive integrated employment (CIE) through customized employment strategies, despite many having little to no prior work experience.

The employment support provided was effective, as the intensity of assistance decreased over time while individuals maintained their jobs, highlighting the potential of customized employment for helping young adults with ASD transition into the workforce.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A retrospective review of a customized employment approach. Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Brooke, AM., et al.[2017]

References

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

The Effect of Business Internships Model and Employment on Enhancing the Independence of Young Adults With Significant Impact From Autism. [2021]

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

Employment Support for Autistic Adults in the Information Technology Sector: A Case Study of Meticulon Consulting Inc. [2023]

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

Individual Placement and Support for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Program. [2017]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of employment-support services for adults with autism spectrum disorder. [2019]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An individual-supported program to enhance placement in a sheltered work environment of autistic individuals mostly with intellectual disability: a prospective observational case series in an Italian community service. [2023]

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

Process evaluation of an autism-specific workplace tool for employers. [2022]

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

Perspectives on Employer-Initiated Terminations Among Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum. [2023]

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

Employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A retrospective review of a customized employment approach. [2017]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors associated with sustained community employment among adults with autism and co-occurring intellectual disability. [2019]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Autistic patients in sheltered workshop for the handicapped]. [2011]