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Interview Skills for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of the interview skills curriculum (ISC), a manualized 12-week group-delivered intervention for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This intervention aims to increase social–pragmatic skills essential to a successful job interview. Twenty-eight adults (18–36 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: ISC or waitlist control. Results revealed that the experimental group showed larger gains in social–pragmatic skills observed during a mock job interview than the control group. Treatment effects on distal outcomes, including social adaptive behaviors and depressive symptoms were not significant, although the respective effect sizes were medium/large. Results indicate that a brief, low-intensity treatment can improve the job-interview performance of young adults with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported by a Pilot Treatment Grant (#7454, PI Lindee Morgan) from Autism Speaks. We are deeply grateful for the study participants and their families. We also wish to acknowledge the support and assistance of Holly Dickinson, Lauren Propst, Kim McShane, Kathy Watkins, Steve Barnes, Shirley Nicoll, Karen Robins, Marisa Laughrey, Sarah Richter, Joy Moore, Susan Baldino, Jazmin Caton, Michael Landing, Bryan Schultz, Patricia Armstrong, and Amy Wetherby.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida State University Autism Institute, 1940 N. Monroe, Suite 72, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, USA

    Lindee Morgan, Allison Leatzow & Sarah Clark

  2. Hunter College/CUNY, 695 Park Ave, RM 611 HN, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Michael Siller

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  1. Lindee Morgan
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  2. Allison Leatzow
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  4. Michael Siller
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Correspondence to Lindee Morgan.

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Morgan, L., Leatzow, A., Clark, S. et al. Interview Skills for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 2290–2300 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2100-3

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