Feasibility and Efficacy of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background:  The community-based unemployment rate for adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ranges from 50-75%. Moreover, evidence-based services to support these adults in finding employment are sparse. The job interview is a common gateway to obtaining competitive community-based employment, but it can be a significant barrier for individuals with ASD to obtain employment.  Improving job interview performance is a critical target for employment services and is especially important for individuals with ASD given their significant social deficits.

Objectives:  To test the feasibility and efficacy of the internet-based 'Virtual Reality Job Interview Training' (VR-JIT) program

Methods:   VR-JIT consists of up to 10 hours of simulated job interviews with a virtual human resource representative and didactic job interview education materials. In a randomized single-blind controlled trial, 26 adults with autism aged 18-31 years were randomized to VR-JIT (n=16) or to a treatment as usual (TAU) control condition (n=10). The primary outcome measures were improved performance on standardized job interview role-plays and a measure of job interview self-confidence. Within the VR-JIT condition, change in trial performance over time was examined as a process measure. 

Results:   Regarding feasibility, participants attended 90% of VR-JIT training sessions and reported that the training was easy-to-use, helpful, and enjoyable. They also reported that training increased their confidence and prepared them for future interviews. Regarding efficacy, participants in the VR-JIT condition had greater improvement in standardized role-plays than TAU participants (p=.046).  A similar pattern was observed with regards to self-confidence at the trend level (p=.060). We also found a log linear increase in the training scores for the simulated job interview trials over time (R-Squared=.83). 

Conclusions:   The current study was a novel attempt to demonstrate changes in vocational skills through virtual reality training using an internet-based platform that can be widely used by families, support groups, and service providers. The findings provide preliminary evidence that VR-JIT is both feasible and efficacious for adults with ASD.