A Review of the Literature on Vocational Training Interventions With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Behavioral Interventions
Campanaro, A. M., Vladescu, J. C., et al. (2021).
Behavioral Interventions, 36(3), 675-696.
This systematic review investigates the effects of various vocational training interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Not stated
From database inception to May 2020
Peer-reviewed studies of any design
50
<p>Findings demonstrated that vocational training interventions resulted in positive outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum in 88.7% of studies, with mixed (i.e., neutral and positive) findings noted in 11.3% of studies. No studies demonstrated negative results following vocational interventions. Additional trends in the data were as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improved outcomes were noted for interventions delivered in naturalistic or combined naturalistic and clinical settings versus those delivered purely in a clinical setting.</li>
<li>All interventions for agricultural, custodial, entertainment, food service, and human service tasks resulted in positive outcomes.</li>
<li>Mixed results were noted for clerical tasks (93.3% positive), pre-vocational skills (90.0% positive), retail tasks (66.7% positive), and multiple vocational tasks (62.5% positive).</li>
<li>Behavioral skills training, video modeling plus error correction or feedback, and a simulation intervention package additionally yielded mixed results. </li>
</ul>
<p>Limitations to this review include small sample sizes across all studies, heterogeneity in study design, and poor methodological rigor of included studies. Additional, high-quality research is indicated.</p>
