Tablet-based video modeling and prompting in the workplace for individuals with autism

Authors: Burke-Miller, J., Razzano, L. A., Grey, D. D., Blyler, C. R., & Cook, J. A.
Year Published 2013
Publication Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Volume 38
Number 1
Pages 1-14
Publisher IOS Press
Background

The number of adults with autism closed by Vocational Rehabilitation remains low. Employment rates for this group is the lowest for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For instance, the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 reported that at two years post high school, only 28% of individuals with autism were employed (including competitive, supported, or sheltered employment).

Purpose

This article presents the findings from a preliminary study testing computer software across a range of employment settings for young adults with autism.

Setting

The study took place in a manufacturing and shipping warehouse in a Midwestern city.

Sample

The study sample included four young men ages 19 to 28, with autism spectrum disorder. One young man was Asian American and the other three were European American. All were unemployed; three lived with their parents; one lived in a community-based group home.

Data Collection

Participants were asked to complete a shipping task that involved an average of 73 steps. The percentage of task steps completed correctly was calculated by dividing the number of relevant completed steps by the sum of relevant completed and relevant not completed steps and multiplying by 100.

Control

This study was a single subject design, the subjects were their own controls.

Findings

Results from this study suggest that the combination of video modeling during pre-employment training and on-the-job video prompting was helpful for individuals with autism when completing a complex shipping task.

Conclusions

The current study provides preliminary evidence that use of the tablet-based VideoTote software was an effective video modeling and prompting intervention for individuals with ASD in competitive employment. The results suggest that for some individuals with autism, job coaches likely will remain necessary.

URL http://www.scholars.northwestern.edu/pubDetail.asp?t=pm&id=84873177849&
Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorder
Populations Male | Asian | White / Caucasian | Transition-age youth (14 - 24)
Outcomes Other
NIDILRR Funded Yes
Research Design Case reports
Peer Reviewed Yes