Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Vocational Interventions for Individuals with ASD: Umbrella Review

  • Review Paper
  • Published:
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are disproportionately unemployed in comparison to adults without disabilities. In this umbrella review, we summarized the findings of 31 systematic reviews and meta-analyses of ASD vocational intervention research, encompassing 287 primary intervention studies. Most primary studies focused on strategies for teaching low-skill job tasks. In contrast, few primary studies examined interventions to improve more direct and meaningful measures of employment, such as job attainment, wages, hours worked, benefits, and job satisfaction. Over 60% of primary studies evaluated either behavioral or technology interventions, with a substantial overlap of primary studies between reviews. Few primary studies explored other approaches, including comprehensive support strategies, accommodations typically found in the workplace, and strategies for teaching job seeking. Intervention effects were generally positive; however, review study quality was variable and low for many reviews, constraining the interpretation of findings. Most reviews reported incomplete primary study participant demographic information, rendering it challenging to generalize findings outside of the reviews. Our results highlight the need for a greater focus on outcome measures indicative of actual employment, the evaluation of a greater variety of interventions, including accommodations typically found in the workplace, and the need to assess comprehensive support. Low review quality underscores the need for improved methodological rigor in reviews of vocational intervention research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

*Indicates the review study was included in the analysis

  • *Aljehany, M. S., & Bennett, K. D. (2019). Meta-analysis of video prompting to teach daily living skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Special Education Technology, 34(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643418780495

  • Alverson, C. Y., & Yamamoto, S. H. (2017). Employment outcomes of vocational rehabilitation clients with autism spectrum disorders. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 40(3), 144–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416629366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Text revision (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.

  • *Anderson, A., Moore, D. W., Rausa, V. C., Finkelstein, S., Pearl, S., & Stevenson, M. (2017). A systematic review of interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorder to promote employment. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 4(1), 26–38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-016-0094-9

  • Anderson, K. A., Shattuck, P. T., Cooper, B. P., Roux, A. M., & Wagner, M. (2014). Prevalence and correlates of postsecondary residential status among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 18(5), 562–570. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313481860

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Annabi, H., & Locke, J. (2019). A theoretical framework for investigating the context for creating employment success in information technology for individuals with autism. Journal of Management & Organization, 25(4), 499–515. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2018.79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Banda, D. R., Dogoe, M. S., & Matuszny, R. M. (2011). Review of video prompting studies with persons with developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 46(4), 514–527. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24232363

  • Barbaro, J., & Halder, S. (2016). Early identification of autism spectrum disorder: Current challenges and future global directions. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 3(1), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-016-0078-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begg, C., Cho, M., Eastwood, S., Horton, R., Moher, D., Olkin, I., ... & Stroup, D. F. (1996). Improving the quality of reporting of randomized controlled trials: The CONSORT statement. Jama, 276(8), 637–639. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.276.8.637

  • Benevides, T. W., Carretta, H. J., Rust, G., & Shea, L. (2021). Racial and ethnic disparities in benefits eligibility and spending among adults on the autism spectrum: A cohort study using the Medicare Medicaid Linked Enrollees Analytic Data Source. PloS one, 16(5), e0251353. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251353

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Boles, M., Ganz, J., Hagan-Burke, S., Hong, E. R., Neely, L. C., Davis, J. L., & Zhang, D. (2019). Effective interventions in teaching employment skills to individuals with developmental disabilities: A single-case meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6(2), 200–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-018-0138-4

  • *Bross, L. A. (2019). Effects of video modeling on customer service skills of young adults with autism in community employment settings [Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas].

  • Burgess, S., & Cimera, R. E. (2014). Employment outcomes of transition-aged adults with autism spectrum disorders: A state of the states report. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119(1), 64–83. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-119.1.64

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Campanaro, A. M., Vladescu, J. C., Manente, C. J., Deshais, M. A., & DeBar, R. M. (2021). A review of the literature on vocational training interventions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Behavioral Interventions, 36(3), 675–696. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1795

  • Campbell, A., Taylor, B., Bates, J., & O’Connor-Bones, U. (2018). Developing and applying a protocol for a systematic review in the social sciences. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 24(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614533.2017.1281827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, W., Smith, L. E., Hong, J., Greenberg, J. S., Lounds Taylor, J., & Mailick, M. R. (2018). Factors associated with sustained community employment among adults with autism and co-occurring intellectual disability. Autism, 22(7), 794–803. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317703760

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Chancel, R., Miot, S., Dellapiazza, F., & Baghdadli, A. (2020). Group-based educational interventions in adolescents and young adults with ASD without ID: A systematic review focusing on the transition to adulthood. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01609-1

  • *Chandroo, R., Strnadova, I., & Cumming, T. M. (2018). A systematic review of the involvement of students with autism spectrum disorder in the transition planning process: Need for voice and empowerment. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 83, 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2018.07.011

  • Chiang, H. M., Cheung, Y. K., Li, H., & Tsai, L. Y. (2013). Factors associated with participation in employment for high school leavers with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1832–1842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1734-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costello, E., Kilbride, S., Milne, Z., Clarke, P., Yilmaz, M., & MacMahon, S. T. (2021, September). A professional career with autism: Findings from a literature review in the software engineering domain. In European Conference on Software Process Improvement (pp. 349–360). Springer, Cham.

  • Critchfield, T. S., & Reed, D. D. (2017). The fuzzy concept of applied behavior analysis research. The Behavior Analyst, 40(1), 123–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-017-0093-x

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Damianidou, D., Arthur-Kelly, M., Lyons, G., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2019). Technology use to support employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disability: An updated meta-analysis. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 65(4), 220–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2018.1439819

  • *Davis, K. S., Kennedy, S. A., Dallavecchia, A., Skolasky, R. L., & Gordon, B. (2019). Psychoeducational interventions for adults with level 3 autism spectrum disorder: A 50-year systematic review. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, 32(3), 139. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNN.0000000000000201

  • Dowdy, A., Peltier, C., Tincani, M., Schneider, W. J., Hantula, D. A., & Travers, J. C. (2021). Meta-analyses and effect sizes in applied behavior analysis: A review and discussion. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(4), 1317–1340. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.862

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dowell, E.K. (2022). Gender pay gap widens as women age. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/01/gender-pay-gap-widens-as-women-age.html

  • Fayard, A. L. (2021). Notes on the meaning of work: Labor, work, and action in the 21st century. Journal of Management Inquiry, 30(2), 207–220. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492619841705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fusar-Poli, P., & Radua, J. (2018). Ten simple rules for conducting umbrella reviews. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 21(3), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2018-300014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Gilson, C. B., Carter, E. W., & Biggs, E. E. (2017). Systematic review of instructional methods to teach employment skills to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 42(2), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796917698831

  • Grynszpan, O., Weiss, P. L., Perez-Diaz, F., & Gal, E. (2014). Innovative technology-based interventions for autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Autism, 18(4), 346–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313476767

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Hong, E. R., Ganz, J. B., Mason, R., Morin, K., Davis, J. L., Ninci, J., ... & Gilliland, W. D. (2016). The effects of video modeling in teaching functional living skills to persons with ASD: A meta-analysis of single-case studies. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 57, 158–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.07.001

  • Howlin, P., Goode, S., Hutton, J., & Rutter, M. (2004). Adult outcome for children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00215.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howlin, P., Moss, P., Savage, S., & Rutter, M. (2013). Social outcomes in mid-to later adulthood among individuals diagnosed with autism and average nonverbal IQ as children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(6), 572–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamshidi, L., Heyvaert, M., Declercq, L., Fernández-Castilla, B., Ferron, J. M., Moeyaert, M., ... & Van den Noortgate, W. (2018). Methodological quality of meta-analyses of single-case experimental studies. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 79, 97–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.12.016

  • Kaya, C., Chan, F., Rumrill, P., Hartman, E., Wehman, P., Iwanaga, K., ... & Avellone, L. (2016). Vocational rehabilitation services and competitive employment for transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 45(1), 73–83. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-160812

  • *Khalifa, G., Sharif, Z., Sultan, M., & Di Rezze, B. (2020). Workplace accommodations for adults with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(9), 1316–1331. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1527952

  • King, S., Davidson, K., Chitiyo, A., & Apple, D. (2020). Evaluating article search and selection procedures in special education literature reviews. Remedial and Special Education, 41(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518813142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kratochwill, T. R., Hitchcock, J., Horner, R. H., Levin, J. R., Odom, S. L., Rindskopf, D. M. & Shadish, W. R. (2010). Single-case designs technical documentation. Retrieved from What Works Clearinghouse. http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/wwc_scd.pdf

  • Landa, R. J. (2018). Efficacy of early interventions for infants and young children with, and at risk for, autism spectrum disorders. International Review of Psychiatry, 30(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1432574

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Lee, G. K., Chun, J., Hama, H., & Carter, E. W. (2018). Review of transition and vocational interventions for youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 5(3), 268–284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-018-0138-4

  • Lindsay, S., Osten, V., Rezai, M., & Bui, S. (2021). Disclosure and workplace accommodations for people with autism: A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(5), 597–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1635658

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, O. R. (1964a). Geriatric behavioral prosthetics. In New thoughts on old age (pp. 41–60). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

  • Lindsley, O. R. (1964b). Direct measurement and prosthesis of retarded behavior. Journal of Education, 147(1), 62–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/002205746414700107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loomes, R., Hull, L., & Mandy, W. P. L. (2017). What is the male-to-female ratio in autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.03.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Lorenc, T., Rodgers, M., Marshall, D., Melton, H., Rees, R., Wright, K., & Sowden, A. (2018). Support for adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual impairment: Systematic review. Autism, 22(6), 654–668. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317698939

  • Magiati, I., Tay, X. W., & Howlin, P. (2014). Cognitive, language, social and behavioural outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review of longitudinal follow-up studies in adulthood. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(1), 73–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.11.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Mak, G., & Zhao, L. (2020). A systematic review: the application of virtual reality on the skill-specific performance in people with ASD. Interactive Learning Environments, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1811733

  • Matson, J. L., & Williams, L. W. (2013). Differential diagnosis and comorbidity: Distinguishing autism from other mental health issues. Neuropsychiatry, 3(2), 233–243. https://doi.org/10.2217/npy.13.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Munandar, V. D., Morningstar, M. E., & Carlson, S. R. (2020). A systematic literature review of video-based interventions to improve integrated competitive employment skills among youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 53(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201083

  • Nastasi, J. A., Crowe, A., & Gravina, N. E. (2022). Reporting demographic variables in JOBM and JAP: A comparison and call to action. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2022.2082624

  • Neely, L. C., Ganz, J. B., Davis, J. L., Boles, M. B., Hong, E. R., Ninci, J., & Gilliland, W. D. (2016). Generalization and maintenance of functional living skills for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A review and meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 3(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-015-0064-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newman, L., Wagner, M., Knokey, A-M., Marder, C., Nagle, K., Shaver, D., et al. (2011). The post-high school outcomes of young adults with disabilities up to 8 years after high school. A report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) (NCSER 2011–3005). SRI International. Retrieved from http://www.nlts2.org/reports/2011_09_02/nlts2_report_2011_09_02_complete.pdf

  • *Ninci, J., Neely, L. C., Hong, E. R., Boles, M. B., Gilliland, W. D., Ganz, J. B., ... & Vannest, K. J. (2015). Meta-analysis of single-case research on teaching functional living skills to individuals with ASD. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2(2), 184–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-014-0046-1

  • Nord, D. K., Stancliffe, R. J., Nye-Lengerman, K., & Hewitt, A. S. (2016). Employment in the community for people with and without autism: A comparative analysis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 24, 11–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2015.12.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hrobjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

  • *Palmen, A., Didden, R., & Lang, R. (2012). A systematic review of behavioral intervention research on adaptive skill building in high-functioning young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(2), 602–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.10.001

  • *Park, E. Y., Kim, J., & Kim, S. S. (2016). Meta-analysis of the effect of job-related social skill training for secondary students with disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-150785

  • Pennypacker, H. S. (2017). Where are all the behavior analysts coming from? The Behavior Analyst, 40(1), 183–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-017-0098-5

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pieper, D., Buechter, R. B., Li, L., Prediger, B., & Eikermann, M. (2015). Systematic review found AMSTAR, but not R (evised)-AMSTAR, to have good measurement properties. Journal of Cilnical Epidemiology, 68(5), 574–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.12.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, N. P., O’Reilly, M. F., Sorrells, A. M., Fragale, C. L., White, P. J., Aguilar, J. M., & Cole, H. A. (2014). Ethnicity reporting practices for empirical research in three autism-related journals. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(7), 1507–1519. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2041-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ponis, S. T., Plakas, G., Agalianos, K., Aretoulaki, E., Gayialis, S. P., & Andrianopoulos, A. (2020). Augmented reality and gamification to increase productivity and job satisfaction in the warehouse of the future. Procedia Manufacturing, 51, 1621–1628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.10.226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Roth, M. E., Gillis, J. M., & DiGennaro Reed, F. D. (2014). A meta-analysis of behavioral interventions for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Behavioral Education, 23(2), 258–286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-013-9189-x

  • Roux, A. M., Shattuck, P. T., Cooper, B. P., Anderson, K. A., Wagner, M., & Narendorf, S. C. (2013). Postsecondary employment experiences among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931–939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Sandgreen, H., Frederiksen, L. H., & Bilenberg, N. (2021). Digital interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(9), 3138–3152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04778-9

  • *Schall, C., Wehman, P., Avellone, L., & Taylor, J. P. (2020). Competitive integrated employment for youth and adults with autism: Findings from a scoping review. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 29(2), 373–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2019.12.001

  • *Seaman, R. L., & Cannella-Malone, H. I. (2016). Vocational skills interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorder: A review of the literature. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 28(3), 479–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-016-9479-z

  • Shea, B. J., Grimshaw, J. M., Wells, G. A., Boers, M., Andersson, N., Hamel, C., ... & Bouter, L. M. (2007). Development of AMSTAR: A measurement tool to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 7(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-7-10

  • Singal, A. G., Higgins, P. D., & Waljee, A. K. (2014). A primer on effectiveness and efficacy trials. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 5(1), e45. https://doi.org/10.1038/ctg.2013.13

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1956). A case history in scientific method. American Psychologist, 11(5), 221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Smith, D. L., Atmatzidis, K., Capogreco, M., Lloyd-Randolfi, D., & Seman, V. (2017). Evidence-based interventions for increasing work participation for persons with various disabilities: A systematic review. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 37(2_suppl), 3S–13S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449216681276

  • Solomon, C. (2020). Autism and employment: Implications for employers and adults with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(11), 4209–4217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04537-w

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steger, M. F., & Dik, B. J. (2009). If one is looking for meaning in life, does it help to find meaning in work? Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1(3), 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01018.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Stephenson, J., & Limbrick, L. (2015). A review of the use of touch-screen mobile devices by people with developmental disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3777–3791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1878-8

  • Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. M. (2019). Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: A systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open, 9(1), e023191. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Storey, K. (2003). A review of research on natural support interventions in the workplace for people with disabilities. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 26(2), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004356-200306000-00001

  • *Syriopoulou-Delli, C. K., & Sarri, K. (2021). Video-based instruction in enhancing functional living skills of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and their transition to independent living: A review. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1900504

  • Tate, R. L., Perdices, M., Rosenkoetter, U., McDonald, S., Togher, L., Shadish, W., ... & Vohra, S. (2016). The Single-Case Reporting Guideline In BEhavioural Interventions (SCRIBE) 2016: Explanation and elaboration. Archives of Scientific Psychology, 4(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.2016.96.7.e1

  • Taylor, J. L., Henninger, N. A., & Mailick, M. R. (2015). Longitudinal patterns of employment and postsecondary education for adults with autism and average-range IQ. Autism, 19(7), 785–793. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315585643

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tincani, M., Garrison, E., Hantula, D., & Vucetic. S. (2021). Vocational supports for individuals with ASD: Review of systematic reviews. PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021259710. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021259710

  • Tomczak, M. T. (2021). Employees with autism spectrum disorders in the digitized work environment: Perspectives for the future. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 31(4), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207320919945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tubío-Fungueiriño, M., Cruz, S., Sampaio, A., Carracedo, A., & Fernández-Prieto, M. (2021). Social camouflaging in females with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(7), 2190–2199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04695-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tugwell, P., Welch, V. A., Karunananthan, S., Maxwell, L. J., Akl, E. A., Avey, M. T., ... & White, H. (2020). When to replicate systematic reviews of interventions: consensus checklist. BMJ, 370. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2864

  • Van Heijst, B. F., & Geurts, H. M. (2015). Quality of life in autism across the lifespan: A meta-analysis. Autism, 19(2), 158–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313517053

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vismara, L. A., & Rogers, S. J. (2010). Behavioral treatments in autism spectrum disorder: What do we know? Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6(1), 447–468. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131151

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Walton, K. M., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2013). Improving social skills in adolescents and adults with autism and severe to profound intellectual disability: A review of the literature. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(3), 594–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1601-1

  • Waterman, A. S. (1982). Identity development from adolescence to adulthood: An extension of theory and a review of research. Developmental Psychology, 18(3), 341. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.18.3.341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Brooke, A. M., Ham, W., Schall, C., McDonough, J., ... & Avellone, L. (2016). Employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A retrospective review of a customized employment approach. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 53, 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.015

  • Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Sima, A., Brooke, A., Ham, W., ... & Riehle, E. (2019). Competitive employment for transition-aged youth with significant impact from autism: A multi-site randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03940-2

  • West, E. A., Travers, J. C., Kemper, T. D., Liberty, L. M., Cote, D. L., McCollow, M. M., & Stansberry Brusnahan, L. L. (2016). Racial and ethnic diversity of participants in research supporting evidence-based practices for learners with autism spectrum disorder. The Journal of Special Education, 50(3), 151–163. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466916632495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Widman, C. J., & Lopez-Reyna, N. A. (2020). Supports for postsecondary students with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(9), 3166–3178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04409-3

  • *Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K. A., Cox, A. W., Fettig, A., Kucharczyk, S., ... & Schultz, T. R. (2015). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder: A comprehensive review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(7), 1951–1966. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2351-z

Download references

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2026513.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Teaching and Learning, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA

    Matt Tincani & Hyangeun Ji

  2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, 1701 N 13th St, Weiss Hall, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA

    Maddie Upthegrove & Donald Hantula

  3. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Temple University, 1925 N. 12th Street, Suite 304, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA

    Elizabeth Garrison, Michael West, Slobodan Vucetic & Eduard Dragut

Authors
  1. Matt Tincani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hyangeun Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maddie Upthegrove
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Elizabeth Garrison
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Michael West
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Donald Hantula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Slobodan Vucetic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Eduard Dragut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matt Tincani.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Table 10

Table 10 Definitions of Quality Assessment Items
Full size table

Appendix 2

Table 11

Table 11 Number of Times Each Primary Study Appeared in a Review Study
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tincani, M., Ji, H., Upthegrove, M. et al. Vocational Interventions for Individuals with ASD: Umbrella Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00368-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00368-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation