Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Technology-Aided Interventions for Employment Skills in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

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

Abstract

There is a growing body of research investigating the effects of technology on remediating the employment challenges experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study provides a focused systematic review of 18 studies identified within the literature to employ technology to teach employment skills to adults with ASD. The review included 13 single-subject research and 5 group designs. Reichow’s (2011) criteria were employed to assess the interventions as evidence-based practice (EBP). Results showed that the use of technology-aided interventions to be effective on increasing employment outcomes for adults with ASD. Furthermore, the current study presented the ranges of employment skills targeted, as well as the focus of intervention towards those with higher functioning ASD. The review also highlights avenues for further 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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

*An asterisk mark has been placed by each study in the reference section that met the inclusion criteria for the review

  • *Alexander, J. L., Ayres, K. M., Smith, K. A., Shepley, S. B., & Mataras, T. K. (2013). Using video modelling on an iPad to teach generalized matching on a sorting mail task to adolescents with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder, 7,1346–1357. doi: 10.1016/2013.07.021

  • *Allen, K. D., Wallace, D. P., Renes, D., Bowen, S. L., & Burke, R. V. (2010). Use of video modelling to teach vocational skills to adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Education & Treatment of Children, 33(3), 339–349.

  • *Allen, K. D., Burke, R. V., Howard, M. R., Wallace, D. P., & Bowen, S. L. (2012). Use of audio cuing to expand employment opportunities for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(11), 2410–2419. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1519-7.

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Scott, F. J., Allison, C., Williams, J., Bolton, P., Matthews, F. E., & Brayne, C. (2009). Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 194, 500–509. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.108.059345.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Bennett, K. D., Gutierrez, A., & Honsberger, T. (2013a). A comparison of video prompting with and without voice-over narration on the clerical skills of adolescents with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1273-1281. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.013.

  • *Bennett, K. D., Ramasamy, R., & Honsberger, T. (2013b). The effects of covert audio coaching on teaching clerical skills to adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(3), 585–593. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1597-6

  • *Bennett, K. D., Ramasamy, R., & Honsberger, T. (2013c). Further examination of covert audio coaching on improving employment skills among secondary students with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 22(2), 103–119. doi:10.1007/s10864-013-9168-2.

  • *Bereznak, S., Ayres, K. M., Mechling, L. C., & Alexander, J. L. (2012). Video self-prompting and mobile technology to increase daily living and vocational independence for students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Developmental Physical Disabilities, 24, 269–285. doi: 10.1007/s10882-012-9270-8

  • Brugha, T., Cooper, S. A., McManus, S., Purdon, S., Smith, J., Scott, F. J., Spiers, N., & Tyrer, F. (2012). Estimating the prevalence of autism spectrum conditions in adults: extending the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. London: The Health and Social Care Information Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buescher, A. V. S., Cidav, Z., Knapp, M., & Mandell, D. S. (2014). Costs of autism spectrum disorders in the United Kingdom and the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, 168(8), 721–728. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.210.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Burke, R., Anderson, M. N., Bowen, S. L., Howard, M. R., & Allen, K. D (2010). Evaluation of two instruction methods to increase employment options for young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31, 1223–1233. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.07.023

  • *Burke, R., Allen, K. D., Howard, M. R., Downey, D., Matz, M. G., & Bowen, S. L. (2013). Tablet-based video modelling and prompting in the workplace for individuals with autism. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 38, 1–14. doi: 10.3233/JVR-120616.

  • Chiang, H., 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. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1734-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DiGennaro Reed, F. D., Hyman, S. R., & Hirst, J. M. (2011). Applications of technology to teach social skills to children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 1003–1010. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.022.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, E., & Baines, S. (2010). The estimated prevalence of autism among adults with learning disabilities in England. Lancaster, England: Learning Disabilities Observatory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fast, Y. (2004). Employment for individuals with Asperger syndrome or non-verbal learning disability: stories and strategies. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombonne, E. (2003). Epidemiological surveys of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders: an update. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(4), 365–382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • García-Villamisar, D., & Sala, S. D. (2002). Dual-task performance in adults with autism. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 7(1), 63–74. doi:10.1080/13546800143000140.

  • García-Villamisar, D., & Hughes, C. (2007). Supported employment improves cognitive performance in adults with Autism. J Intellect Disabil Res, 51(2), 142–150. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00854.x.

  • *Gentry, T., Kriner, R., Sima, A., McDonough, J., & Wehman, P. (2014). Reducing the need for personal supports among workers with autism using an iPod Touch as an assistive technology: delayed randomised control trial. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2221-8.

  • Gerhardt, P. F., & Lainer, I. (2011). Addressing the needs of adolescents and adults with autism: a crisis on the horizon. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 41, 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Goh, A. E. & Bambara, L. M. (2013). Video self-modelling: a job skills intervention with individuals with intellectual disability in employment settings. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 48 (1),103–119.

  • Hendricks, D., & Wehman, P. (2009). Transition from school to adulthood for youth with autism spectrum disorders: review and recommendations. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24(2), 77–88. doi:10.1177/1088357608329827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, D. A., Belcher, L., Brigman, H. E., Renner, S., & Stephens, B. (2013). The Apple iPadTM as an innovative employment support for young adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counselling, 44(1), 28–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiller, A. J., Fish, T., Siegel, J. H., & Beversdorf, D. Q. (2011). Social and vocational skills training reduces self-reported anxiety and depression among young adults on the autism spectrum. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 267–276. doi: 10.1007/s10882-011-9226-4.

  • Hofvander, B., Delorme, R., Chaste, P., Nyden, A., Wentz, E., Stahlberg, O., Herbrecht, E., Stopin, A., Anckarsater, H., Gillberg, C., Rastam, M., & Leboyer, M. (2009). Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 9 (35). doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-9-35

  • 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbutt, K., & Chalmers, L. (2004). Employment and adults with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(4), 215–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S., & Bucholz, J. L. (2014). The utilization of an iPad for increasing work-related behaviors in adults with disabilities. Tech Trends, 58(6), 84–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kandalaft, M. R., Didehbani, N., Krawczyk, D. C., Allen, T. T., & Chapman, S. B. (2013). Virtual reality social cognition training for young adults with high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 34–44. doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1544-6.

  • *Kellems, R. O., & Morningstar, M. E. (2012). Using video modelling delivered through iPods to teach vocational tasks to young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 35(3), 155–167. doi:10. 1177/0885728812443082.

  • Leyfer, O. T., Folstein, S. E., Bacalman, S., Davis, N. O., Dinh, E., Morgan, J., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Lainhart, J. E. (2006). Comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism: interview development and rates of disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 849–861. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0123-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L., Yu, S., & Yu, Y. (2012). A study of activities of daily living and employment in adults with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 35, 109–115. doi:10.1097/MRR.0b013e32835108b1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lydon, S., Healy, O., O’Reilly, M., & McCoy, A. (2013). A systematic review and evaluation of response redirection as a treatment for challenging behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 3148–3158.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mannion, A., Leader, G., & Healy, O. (2013). An investigation of comorbid psychological disorders, sleep problems, gastrointestinal symptoms and epilepsy in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 35–42. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2012.05.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Mason, R. A., Rispoli, M., Ganz, J. B., Boles, M. B., & Orr, K. (2012). Effects of video modelling on communicative social skills of college students with Asperger syndrome. Developmental Neurorehabiliation, 15 (6), 425–434. doi: 10.3109/17518423.2012.704530.

  • McCoy, A., Holloway, J., Healy, O., Rispoli, M., & Neely, L. (2016). A systematic review and evaluation of video modeling, role-play and computer-based instruction as social skills interventions for children and adolescents with high-functioning autism. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, 1–20. doi: 10.1007/s40489-015-0065-6.

  • Mechling, L. C., & Ayres, K. M. (2012). A comparative study: completion of fine motor office related tasks by high school students with autism using video models on large and small screen sizes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(11), 2364–2373. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1484-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Morgan, L., Leatzow, A., Clark, S., & Siller, M. (2014). Interview skills for adults with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 2290–2300. doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2100-3.

  • Myles, B. S., Ferguson, H., & Hagiwara, T. (2007). Using a personal digital assistant to improve the recording of homework assignments by an adolescent with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(2), 96–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholas, D. B., Attridge, M., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Clarke, M. (2015). Vocational support approaches in autism spectrum disorder: a synthesis review of the literature. Autism, 19(2), 235–245. doi:10.1177/1362361313516548.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Odom, S. L., Thompson, J. L., Hedges, S., Boyd, B. A., Dykstra, J. R., Duda, M. A., Szidon, K. L., Smith, L. E., & Bord, A. (2015). Technology-aided interventions and instruction for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3805–3819. doi:10.1007/s10803-014-2320-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reichow, B. (2011). Development, procedures, and application of the evaluative method for determining evidence-based practices in autism. In B. Reichow, P. Doehring, D. V. Cicchetti, & F. R. Volkmar (Eds), Evidence-based practices and treatments for children with autism (pp. 25–39). New York: Springer.

  • Roux, A. M., Shattuck, M. S. S. W., Cooper, B. P., Anderson, K. A., Wagner, M., & Narendorf, S. C. (2013). Postsecondary employment experiences among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder RH: employment in young adults with autism. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52 (9), 931–939. doi: 10.10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.019

  • Shic, F., & Goodwin, M. (2015). Introduction to technologies in the daily lives of individuals with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3773–3776. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2640-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47, 921–929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Smith, M. J., Ginger, E. J., Wright, K., Wright, M. A., Taylor, J. L., Humm, L. B., Olsen, D. E., Bell, M. D., Fleming, M. F. (2014). Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 2450–2463. doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2113-y.

  • Stock, S. E., Davies, D. K., Davies, K. R., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2006). Evaluation of an application for making palmtop computers accessible to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 31(1), 39–46. doi:10.1080/13668250500488645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *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, 2472–2483. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1800-4.

  • Tager-Flusberg, H., & Joseph, R. M. (2003). Identifying neurocognitive phenotypes in autism. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, B: Biological Sciences, 358, 303–314.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. R., Bryant, B. R., Campbell, E. M., Craig, E. M., Campbell, E. M., Hughes, C., et al. (2004). Supports intensity scale. Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.

  • *Van Laarhoven, T., Van Laarhoven-Myers, T., Zurita, L. M. (2007). The effectiveness of using a pocket PC as a video modelling and feedback device for individuals with developmental disabilities in vocational settings. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 4(1), 28-44.

  • Van Laarhoven, T., Winiarski, L., Blood, E., & Chan, J. M. (2012). Maintaining vocational skills of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities through video modelling. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 47(4), 447–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, M., Newman, L., Cameto, R., Garza, N., & Levine, P. (2005). After high school: a first look at the postschool experiences of youth with disabilities. A report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study—2 (NLTS-2). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteneck, G. G., Charlifus, S. W., Gerhart, K. A., Overholser, J. D., & Richardson, G. N. (1992). Guide for use of the CHART Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique. Englewood, CO: Craig Hospital.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland

    Edith Walsh, Jennifer Holloway, Anna McCoy & Helena Lydon

Authors
  1. Edith Walsh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jennifer Holloway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anna McCoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Helena Lydon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Holloway.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Walsh, E., Holloway, J., McCoy, A. et al. Technology-Aided Interventions for Employment Skills in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 4, 12–25 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-016-0093-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-016-0093-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation