A review of visually supported portable technology to support employment-related social behaviors for young adults with autism and developmental disorders

Abstract

Background: 

Portable electronic assistive technology with visual supports can assist people with autism and developmental disorders in their employment-related social behaviors in integrated work settings.

Objective: 

The purpose of this systematic literature review was to summarize the literature on different types of technology used to support the social skills of people in integrated employment. The research questions were: (1) What are the participant characteristics (e.g., age, disability, gender, race/ethnicity)?; (2) What are the intervention characteristics (e.g., design, interventionist, technology, setting)?; and (3) To what extent are the studies effective and meet quality standards based on WWC Standards 4.1?

Methods: 

This review included four phases (i.e., identification, screening, eligibility, inclusion) in which we identified nine studies that met our inclusion criteria and applied quality indicators based on What Works Clearinghouse Standards.

Results: 

Results for success estimates revealed improvements in social skills in the majority of the studies. Additionally, six studies met What Works Clearinghouse Standards With or Without Reservations.

Conclusions: 

Future directions and implications for practice are discussed. This review offers clinicians, educators, researchers, and practitioners in the community options to use different types of portable technology to support employment skills in young adults with autism and developmental disorders.