Examining the Effects of a Job Entry Intervention

The current study will examine the efficacy of a virtual reality (VR) intervention entitled "IMPRoving Expression of Skills and Strengths In Interviewing in a Virtual Environment" (IMPRESSIVE) which targets social competency skills needed for successful job interviewing. Specifically, 2 VR tools are utilized in the IMPRESSIVE intervention. The first tool is VR-Job Interview Training, a VR program which offers the opportunity for repeated practice with a virtual human interviewer. Preliminary evidence suggests that the VRprogram is successful in adults with ASD and schizophrenia in improving interview abilities. However, the efficacy of it has not been evaluated in adolescents with ASD. This represents a significant void in our knowledge, as we do not know whether this program is effective for youth. In addition to VR training, a newly developed tool is included in the currently proposed intervention: the Kessler Foundation STRength IDentification and Expression tool (VR-STRIDE). KF-STRIDE is focused on improving the ability to express personal strengths during the job interview, a skill that is not taught with VR training. The proposed IMPRESSIVE intervention, which combines the learning of 2 critical abilities (social skills and strength identification), has never been examined in individuals with ASD. Thus, the current proposal will be the first to examine the efficacy of these 2 combined tools in this at-risk population.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnoses of ASD
• or am a typically developing adolescent
• Able to speak and read English fluently

Exclusion criteria

• History of stroke, traumatic brain injury, or any other neurological injury or disease
• History of significant psychiatric illness (bipolar, schizophrenia or psychosis)
• Uncontrolled seizures
• Any other unstable medical complications