Virtual interview training for autistic transition age youth: A randomized controlled feasibility and effectiveness trial.
Matthew J Smith, Kari Sherwood, Brittany Ross and 6 others
PMID 33567883WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic youth using a virtual interview simulator alongside school transition services showed better interview skills and higher competitive employment rates than those receiving services alone.
They also reported less interview anxiety. The training was feasible for teachers to deliver.
Key findings
01Participants receiving the virtual training plus standard school services had significantly higher rates of competitive integrated employment (25.0%) compared to those receiving standard services only (0.0%).
02The group using the virtual simulator showed significant improvements in overall job interview skills and were rated as more likely to be hired compared to the control group.
03Users of the virtual training reported reduced job interview anxiety after the intervention, a change not seen in the group receiving standard services only.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was not fully powered to determine effectiveness, meaning the results should be viewed as preliminary. The sample size was relatively small (71 participants), and the randomization ratio was uneven (2:1). The study could not generalize outcomes to underrepresented minority groups individually. The reduction in job interview anxiety could reflect statistical regression to the mean. Pre-existing mock interview training varied between schools (three schools did it before enrollment, two did not), which may have influenced baseline performance. The authors and their institution have financial ties to the company that developed the intervention.
Declared interests
The University of Michigan will receive royalties from SIMmersion LLC on sales of the VIT-TAY tool. These royalties are shared with Dr. Matthew Smith and the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Three authors (Mr. Elkins, Ms. Humm, and Dr. Steacy) are paid employees of SIMmersion and own stock in the company, though the paper states they were not involved in study design, data collection, or analysis.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the virtual training alone causes employment outcomes. The VIT-TAY group also spent more time actively searching for jobs than the control group, so the increased employment rate may reflect greater job-seeking effort rather than just the interview skills gained from the simulator.