Our team is currently evaluating Work Chat within pre-employment-transition services and other settings in a different study. We are aiming to see if it is feasible for Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting and not within schools or other sites. We are also aiming to evaluate the tool specifically within an underrepresented group, black transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder. Work Chat is an online gamified computer program designed for the autism community and we are looking for help from adults on the spectrum. Work Chat is designed to be a typical work day experience in a virtual gaming world to practice soft skills with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
What are the goals of the study?
Our goal is to evaluate Work Chat acceptability and also see if it can increase employment retention and social skills.
What will happen during the visit or online?
Participants will be expected to complete a series of surveys and assessments over Zoom that will last approximately 3 hours at two time points, and then 3 follow up surveys at 3 month, 6 month, and 9 month time points. If they are randomized into Work Chat, they are also going to be using Work Chat and completing maybe 1-3 sessions (approximately 1 hour) over approximately 6-8 weeks.
How will this help families?
The goal is to see improvement in employment retention and an increase in social skills in workplace settings.