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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05132491

Benefits of Coding Training on Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities

The purpose of the present study is to develop and evaluate the Technology Early Career Preparation Intervention (TECH-Prep) program with African American high school students with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities include conditions such as Autism spectrum disorders, seizure disorders, behavior disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome/effects. This program is designed to increase technology career interests, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, goal persistence, and increase entrance into post-secondary education or work subsequent to high school completion of African American youth with developmental disabilities.

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Key information

Conditions

Developmental Disability Developmental Disabilities Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

About this study

The investigator's goal is to recruit 30 African American high school students with developmental disabilities to participate in this TECH-Prep study each year for the next five years (2019-2024). The TECH-Prep program integrates many empirically supported strategies identified in the STEM education and the secondary transition research literature. The program will incorporate overview of coding careers, reviewing video testimonials of individuals working in technology fields, and reviewing/responding to training materials intended to facilitate workplace social skills development.

The program will require participants complete three surveys to track their progress. To receive incentives for completing program components, data on program component completion will be tracked of participants in the treatment group. This involves tracking data on when a participant completes review of the final segment of each learning module.

Data collection for this study will consist of three surveys completed at baseline, immediately after completion of the program, and six weeks after completion of the program.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds
  • Diagnosed with a developmental disability
  • Over 18 but under 24
  • Have the capacity to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Persons who are Caucasian
  • Do not have a developmental disability
  • Older than 24 years of age
  • Unable to provide informed consent

Treatment and study plan

TECH-Prep Intervention

Other

Participants in the treatment program will be asked to complete 10 online training modules (1 hour each), attend 5 online motivational speaker forums (1 hour each), and view 5 coding workshops. The activities will be completed over an 8 week period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Outcome Expectation Sub-score on the Tech-Prep Survey

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks (immediately after intervention), 8 weeks (6 weeks post intervention)

    The Tech-Prep survey is a 90-item survey. Scores are calculated on sub-scales included in the survey. These subscales focus on Social Cognitive Career Theory concepts of outcome expectation, career readiness, and goal persistence. Change scores from baseline at post-training and post-internship will be evaluated. Higher scores indicate increased outcome expectations.

  2. Change in Goal Persistence Sub-score on the Tech-Prep Survey

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks (immediately after intervention), 8 weeks (6 weeks post intervention)

    The Tech-Prep survey is a 90-item survey. Scores are calculated on sub-scales included in the survey. These subscales focus on Social Cognitive Career Theory concepts of outcome expectation, career readiness, and goal persistence. Change scores from baseline at post-training and post-internship will be evaluated. Higher scores indicate increased goal persistence.

  3. Change in Career Readiness Sub-score on the Tech-Prep Survey

    Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks (immediately after intervention), 8 weeks (6 weeks post intervention)

    : The Tech-Prep survey is a 90-item survey. Scores are calculated on sub-scales included in the survey. These subscales focus on Social Cognitive Career Theory concepts of outcome expectation, career readiness, and goal persistence. Change scores from baseline at post-training and post-internship will be evaluated. Higher scores indicate increased career readiness.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Other

Collaborators

  • Virginia Commonwealth University

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of a Technology Early Career Preparation Intervention (TECH-Prep) for African American Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 24, 2021
Registry last updated
Feb 25, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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