Research Briefs

Research Highlights: Embracing the Future: Artificial Intelligence in the Provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services to Autistic and Neurodivergent Youth

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Study Overview:

Transition-aged youth with autism can have a hard time finding work after high school. This article examines how artificial intelligence and technology tools can help young neurodivergent and autistic youth prepare for employment. It also explores ways in which autistic youth can participate in the creation and study of these technologies. Researchers found 27 articles that focused on neurodivergence and autistic youth in pre-employment services related to workplace readiness.

Selected Findings:

  • The job interview process can be challenging for autistic job-seekers, as they may not behave in the way interviewers expect. Young people with autism can become hesitant to participate in the employment process if they feel unready for communication challenges.
  • A shared understanding of the community's responsibility to reduce barriers to employment for youth with autism is key to making holistic progress.
  • The use of Artificial Intelligence in combination with Virtual Reality and other technologies can help prepare autistic youth for real-world job interviews by building confidence and skills through simulated experiences with programs like Pathful or SIMmersion’s VIT-TAY.

Practical Implications:

  • AI technology is available via smartphones and mobile devices. With most youth in the United States using mobile device technology, there is an opportunity to teach workplace readiness skills.
  • By using cloud-based systems, educators can prepare Autistic students for work.  Cloud systems are software programs hosted over the internet, including well-known systems such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Salesforce.
  • Stakeholders should use participatory and responsible practices to create strategies that improve workplace readiness and employment outcomes for these students..
  • Research done by individuals with real experience in these areas of research makes study results more reliable.

 

This Research Highlight was developed from an article in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation by Rachel McDonald Hurford, Melanie Derry, and Ellie Bavuso. The content of this Research Highlights was developed under grants from NIDILRR (90RTEM0002 and 90RTEM0014) and the Virginia DOE through VCU ACE (881-APE61172-H027A230107).
For more on this topic, read the journal article: https://transition.vcurrtc.org/resources/database/details.cfm?articleID=9447