People with neurodevelopmental disorders often face significant challenges to finding and keeping employment including engaging in a job interview. Successfully navigating a job interview is a complex and essential stage to finding employment and requires skillful behaviors.
OBJECTIVE:
The study aimed to determine the feasibility of the Presenting Qualifications intervention for people with neurodevelopmental disorders.
METHODS:
Direct skills teaching (DST) is a researched method that can be utilized to help people learn a new skill. The current study implemented a multi-session, group based work-related soft skills intervention (“Presenting Qualifications”) for 76 people with various neurodevelopmental disorders via a DST approach.
RESULTS:
Participants reported increased perceived interview preparedness from pre to post intervention. Participants also reported satisfaction with the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS:
This suggests soft skills interventions delivered in group settings can be successfully implemented among people with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.
Altszuler,A. R., Page,T. F., Gnagy,E. M., Coxe,S., Arrieta,A., Molina,B. S. G., PelhamJr., W.E. (2016) Financial dependence of young adults with childhood ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 44(6), 1217–1229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0093-9
Bowring,D. L., Hatton,C., McMahon,M., (2019) Not such an ordinary life: A comparison of employment, marital status and housing profiles of adults with and without intellectual disabilities. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(4), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-03-2019-0014
Chen,J. L., Leader,G., Sung,C., Leahy,M. (2015) Trends in employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A review of the research literature. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2(2), 115–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-014-0041-6
6.
Cohen,M., Danley,K., Nemec,P. (1985). Direct skills teaching reference handbook. Boston: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
7.
Cortiella,C., Horowitz,S. H. (2014). The State of Learning Disabilities: Facts, Trends and Emerging Issues. National Center for Learning Disabilities.
8.
Fabiano,G. A., Hulme,K. F., Sodano,S. M., Caserta,A., Hulme,K., Stephan,G., Smyth,A. C. (2018) An evaluation of occupational behavior in individuals with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Human Performance, 31(3), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2018.1489809
9.
Farkas,M., Anthony,W. A. (2010) Psychiatric rehabilitation interventions: A review. International Review of Psychiatry, 22(2), 114–129. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261003730372
10.
Gerber,P. J. (2012) The impact of learning disabilities on adulthood: A review of the evidenced-based literature for research and practice in adult education. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(1), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219411426858
11.
Harris,A. D., McGregor,J. C., Perencevich,E. N., Furuno,J. P., Zhu,J., Peterson,D. E., Finkelstein,J. (2006) The use and interpretation of quasi-experimental studies in medical informatics. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA, 13(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1197/jamia.M1749
Hendricks,D. (2010) Employment and adults with autism spectrum disorders: Challenges and strategies for success. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 32(2), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-2010-0502.
14.
Hollomotz,A. (2018) Successful interviews with people with intellectual disability. Qualitative Research: QR, 18(2), 153–170. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794117713810
15.
Horowitz,S. H., Rawe,J., Whittaker,M. C. (2017). The State of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the 1 in 5. New York:National Center for Learning Disabilities.
16.
Hsieh,H. F., Shannon,S. E. (2005) Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
17.
Joshi,G. S., Bouck,E. C. (2017) Examining postsecondary education predictors and participation for students with learning disabilities. Journal of learning disabilities, 50(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219415572894
18.
Kaya,C., Hsu,S., Rumrill,P. D., Hanley-Maxwell,C., Chan,F. (2021) Differential vocational rehabilitation service patterns and outcomes for transition-age youth with specific learning disabilities: Implications in the COVID- era. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 54(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201118
19.
Kocman,A., Fischer,L., Weber,G. (2018) The Employers’ perspective on barriers and facilitators to employment of people with intellectual disability: A differential mixed-method approach. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities: JARID, 31(1), 120–131. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12375
20.
Kuriyan,A. B., Pelham,W. E., W.Jr, Molina,B. S. G., Waschbusch,D. A., Gnagy,E. M., Sibley,M. H., Babinski,D. E., Walther,C., Cheong,J., Yu,J., Kent,K. M. (2013) Young adult educational and vocational outcomes of children diagnosed with ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 41(1), 27–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9658-z
21.
Lee,I. H., Rojewski,J. W., Gregg,N., Jeong,S. -O. (2015) Postsecondary education persistence of adolescents with specific learning disabilities or emotional/behavioral disorders. The Journal of Special Education, 49(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466914524826
22.
Levashina,J., Hartwell,C. J., Morgeson,F. P., Campion,M. A. (2014) The structured employment interview: Narrative and quantitative review of the research literature. Personnel Psychology, 67, 241–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12052
23.
Ma,J., Pender,M., Welch,M. (2016). Education pays 2016: The benefits of higher education for individuals and society. College Board.
Maras,K., Norris,J. E., Nicholson,J., Heasman,B., Remington,A., Crane,L. (2021) Ameliorating the disadvantage for autistic job seekers: An initial evaluation of adapted employment interview questions. Autism, 25(4), 1060–1075. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320981319
26.
Meltzer,A., Robinson,S., Fisher,K. R. (2020) Barriers to finding and maintaining open employment for people with intellectual disability in Australia. Social Policy & Administration, 54(1), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12523
27.
Michalski,S. C., Ellison,C., Szpak,A., Loetscher,T. (2021) Vocational training in virtual environments for people with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 627301.
28.
Murray,C., Doren,B. (2012) The effects of working at gaining employment skills on the social and vocational skills of adolescents with disabilities: A school-based intervention. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 56(2), 96–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355212452614
29.
Norris,J. E., Crane,L., Maras,K. (2020) Interviewing autistic adults: Adaptations to support recall in police, employment, and healthcare interviews. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 24(6), 1506–1520. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320909174
30.
Oursler,J., Lu,W., Herrick,S., Harris,K. (2019) Using Direct Skills Teaching to improve job skills for persons with disabilities. Journal of Employment Counseling, 56(2), 69–84. DOI: 10.1002/joec.12113.
31.
Rast,J. E., Roux,A. M., Shattuck,P. T. (2019) Use of vocational rehabilitation supports for postsecondary education among transition-age youth on the autism spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(6), 2164–2173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03972-8
32.
Seo,Y., Abbott,R. D., Hawkins,J. D. (2008) Outcome status of students with learning disabilities at ages and. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(4), 300–314. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219407311308
33.
Shadish,W. R., Cook,T. D., Campbell,D. T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
34.
Shern,D., Tsemberis,S., Anthony,W., Lovell,A., Richmond,L., Felton,C., Winarski,J., Cohen,M. (2000) Serving street-dwelling individuals with psychiatric disabilities: Outcomes of a psychiatric rehabilitation clinical trial. American Journal of Public Health, 90(12), 1873–1878. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.90.12.1873
35.
Sima,A. P., Wehman,P. H., Chan,F., West,M. D., Leucking,R. G. (2015) An evaluation of risk factors related to employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 38(2), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143414534887
36.
Siperstein,G. N., Parker,R. C., Drascher,M. (2013) National snapshot of adults with intellectual disabilities in the labor force. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 39(3), 157–165. https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-130658
37.
Skelly,A. C., Dettori,J. R., Brodt,E. D. (2012) Assessing bias: The importance of considering confounding. Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal, 3(1), 9–12. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1298595
38.
Strickland,D. C., Coles,C. D., Southern,L. B. (2013) JobTIPS: A transition to employment program for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(10), 2472–2483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1800-4
39.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. (2021). Telehealth for the treatment of serious mental illness and substance use disorders (SAMHSA Publi- cation No. PEP21-06-02-001) Rockville,MD:National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
40.
Timmons,J., Wills,J., Kemp,J., Basha,R. Mooney, M. (2010). Charting the course: Supporting the career development of youth with learning disabilities.Washington, DC: Institute for Educational Leadership, National Collaborative onWorkforce and Disability for Youth.
41.
Troiano,P. F., Liefeld,J. A., Trachtenberg,J. V. (2010) Academic support and college success for postsecondary students with learning disabilities. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 40(2), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790195.2010.10850329
42.
Walker,Z., Vasquez,E., Wienke,W. (2016) The impact of simulated interviews for individuals with intellectual disability. Educational Technology & Society, 19(1), 76–88.
43.
Wehman,P., Taylor,J., Brooke,V., Avellone,L., Whittenburg,H., Ham,W., Brooke,A., Carr,S. (2018) Toward competitive employment for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities: What progress have we made and where do we need to go. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 43(3), 131–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796918777730
44.
Weinberg,H. (2020) Online group psychotherapy: Challenges and possibilities during COVID-—A practice review. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice,, 24(3), 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000140
45.
Whittenburg,H. N., Cimera,R. E., Willis,C., Taylor,J. P., Thoma,C. A. (2020) Comparing employment outcomes for youth with learning disabilities and postsecondary educational experience. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 52(3), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201079
