A Strength-Based Employment Maintenance Program for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Last updated: March 6, 2025
Sponsor: Kessler Foundation
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd)

Treatment

KF-STRIDE® Into Work!

Clinical Study ID

NCT06255925
E-1199-22
  • Ages 14-26
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The investigators are looking to evaluate how effective a training program that focuses on character strengths may be in improving job maintenance skills in young adults. The investigators are examining the effects of this intervention in young adults who feel they would like to help in improving their satisfaction with work, and in keeping their jobs.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Lives in the United States of America

  • Between the ages of 14-26

  • Speaks English well and at a 4th grade reading level

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Had a stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, or neurological injury or disease in thepast(like brain tumor or epilepsy)

  • Has a history of significant psychiatric illness(like schizophrenia or psychosis)

  • Has uncontrolled seizures or other unstable medical complications

Study Design

Total Participants: 30
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: KF-STRIDE® Into Work!
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 01, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
June 30, 2026

Study Description

Individuals with autism possess employable and valuable strengths and abilities. Unfortunately, despite these strengths, individuals with autism experience challenges in obtaining and maintaining employment. Traditionally, the majority of interventions designed for autism (including those focused on employment) focus on remediating deficits, without harnessing the strengths of those with autism. This deficit-based approach (i.e. to fix what is deficient in a person with autism) has triggered increasing criticism and dissatisfaction from the autism community. A growing shift toward strength-based training tools represent a holistic approach to treatment of autistic individuals by acknowledging and using their strengths to improve outcomes. To date, no strength-based employment programs have been examined in individuals with autism. Thus, in the current project, the investigators aim to develop and test a strength-based employment program. At Kessler Foundation, the investigators have developed a strength-based training tool: Kessler Foundation Strength Identification and Expression (KF-STRIDE®) which targets job interview skills by teaching individuals with autism to identify and express their personal strengths to a future employer. In the current proposal, the investigators aim to adapt this program to specifically target job maintenance skills.

Connect with a study center

  • Kessler Foundation

    East Hanover, New Jersey 07936
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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