Achieving Steady Work Among Adults With Autism Through Specialized Employment Program

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significantly higher levels of unemployment and underemployment compared to their typically developing peers and all other groups with neurodevelopmental disorders, even though major companies that have employed and trained young people with ASD acclaim their significant innovations in their companies. The investigators hope to examine the effects of specialized employment support programs, over current traditional vocational rehabilitation approaches, for adults with ASD on their ability to maintain steady employment and overall benefit to the organizations at which they will be employed. The investigators predict that Stanford University's Neurodiversity at Work (NaW) Program will improve employment outcomes and positively impact the overall quality of life of individuals with ASD in this program. The investigators hope that the findings of the study will lead to the advancement of programs aimed to support individuals with ASD.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 55
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Moderately functioning group of participants:

‣ Males and females with ASD

⁃ Between the ages of 18-55

⁃ No significant current psychosocial stressors per history

⁃ Able to travel to work independently

⁃ Attended either an internship program, pre-employment training, or both

⁃ Possess an IQ between 60 and 90

• High functioning group of participants:

‣ Males and females with ASD

⁃ Between the ages of 18-55

⁃ No significant current psychosocial stressors per history

⁃ Able to travel to work independently

⁃ Attended either an internship program, pre-employment training, or both

⁃ Possess a college degree

⁃ Possess an IQ of 90 or above

Locations
United States
California
Stanford University School of Medicine
RECRUITING
Palo Alto
Contact Information
Primary
Lawrence K Fung, MD, PhD
lkfung@stanford.edu
6504989392
Time Frame
Start Date: 2019-09-30
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-12
Participants
Target number of participants: 80
Treatments
Experimental: Neurodiversity at Work (NaW) Group
Individuals in this group will receive a 6-week Autism at Work pre-employment training. Upon onboarding, each individual will be supported by a team manager, a team buddy, a peer mentor, a job/life skills coach, a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and a personal counselor. Ongoing support for members of support circles will be provided during the 12 weeks immediately after onboarding.
Experimental: Neurodiversity at Work - Delayed Start (NaW-DS)
Participants in this group will receive typical orientation for neurotypical employees after onboarding. The support of peer mentor, job/life skills coach, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and a personal counselor will start 6 months after onboarding. Managers, co-workers, team buddies and mentors for all recruited and hired employees in both groups will receive the same specialized training to enhance their abilities to work with individuals with ASD.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Lawrence Fung

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov