Adaptive Web-based Software for Enhancing Social Communication Skills in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Facilitate Employment Success

Abstract Autism Spectrum DisorderASDis a life long neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors and interestsWith overyouth with ASD entering adulthood in the next decadethere is an urgent need for the development of cost effectiveaccessibleand evidence based interventions to support the transition to competitive employmentLike their typically developing peersadolescents with ASD view employment as a critical step toward independence and selfsufficiencyas a way to contribute to societyand as a means to gain access to social relationshipsWhile the increasing number of young adults with ASD want to obtain jobsmore than half of the of theU Syouth with ASD who turnyears of age each year are unemployed two years after leaving high schoolwith only approximately half finding employment eight years after high schoolIn order to become a successful member of the workforceit is critical for an individual to not only be able to understand the social communication cues of othersbut to be able to engage in context appropriate social communicationFor the majority of individuals with ASDincluding ASD without intellectual disabilityASDwoIDsocial communicationpragmaticskills are one of the most noticeablestigmatizingand chronic impairmentsExamples of common social communication difficulties within the workplace include understanding and using nonverbal cuesasking and answering questionsstarting and ending conversationsand using appropriate conversation pragmatics such as intonationfluencyand topic maintenanceEven though Individuals with ASD have the desire and capability of exceling in competitive employment positionsthey often fail to do so because of social communication limitationsSpeech language pathologistsSLPsroutinely work as part of the team of professionals supporting individuals with ASD in elementary schoolsbut provide services less frequently to high school aged youthIn order to support secondary students with ASD in developing the social communication skills needed to obtain and maintain employmentSLPs need flexible and engaging toolsThismonth SBIR Phase I project includes three specific aimsdevelop the WC Decoder prototypeconduct prototype usability and feasibility testing with adolescents young adults with ASDwoIDspeech language pathologistsincluding those from schools and private practicesand parents of adolescents young adults with ASDwoIDandprepare for Phase II full developmentThe proposed SBIR project will directly address the need for innovative solutions to engage adolescents and young adults with ASDwoID in building foundational workplace social communication skillsImproved social communication skills will translate into significant benefits in the well being of these youthincluding obtaining and maintaining employmentachieving independencefinancial securityself sufficiencyand higher quality of lifeand becoming active community members Project Narrative Social communicationpragmaticskills are one of the most noticeablestigmatizingand chronic impairments in adolescents and young adults with ASDand contribute to the significant underemployment of individuals with ASDIn order to support secondary students with ASD in developing the social communication skills needed to obtain and maintain employmentspeech language pathologists need flexible and engaging toolsThe proposed SBIR project will directly address the need for innovative solutions to engage adolescents and young adults with ASDwoID in building foundational workplace social communication skillsthereby increasing employability