Android Robot-Mediated Mock Job Interview Sessions for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Hirokazu Kumazaki,Mitsuru Kikuchi,Zachary Warren,Teruko Yuhi,Yuichiro Yoshikawa,Takashi Ikeda,Hiroshi Ishiguro,Haruhiro Higashida,Blythe A Corbett,Yoshio Matsumoto

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00169

Abstract

The feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an android robot-mediated mock job interview training in terms of both bolstering self-confidence and reducing biological levels of stress in comparison to a psycho-educational approach human interview was assessed in a randomized study. Young adults (ages 18–25 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were randomized to participate either in a mock job interview training with our android robot system (n = 7) or a self-paced review of materials about job-interviewing skills (n = 8). Baseline and outcome measurements of self-reported performance/efficacy and salivary cortisol were obtained after a mock job interview with a human interviewer. After training sessions, individuals with ASD participating in the android robot-mediated sessions reported marginally improved self-confidence and demonstrated significantly lower levels of salivary cortisol as compared to the control condition. These results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of android robot-mediated learning.

Highlights

An estimated 50,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) turn 18 each year and begin the process of transitioning to adult-based services in the United States
In an effort to help facilitate job interview skill training for young adults with ASD, we developed a mock job interview training using an android robot, which is a robot with the appearance and movements resembling those of an actual human
There were no significant differences between groups with regards to mean age (p = 0.88), gender proportion (p = 0.61), average IQ score (p = 0.39), total Autism Spectrum QuotientJapanese version (AQ-J) score (p = 0.39), or total Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) score (p = 0.70)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

An estimated 50,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) turn 18 each year and begin the process of transitioning to adult-based services in the United States. Recent work has demonstrated the preliminary feasibility and efficacy of virtual reality job interview training with adults reporting potential improvements in self-confidence and demonstrating improved performance in mock interviews [8, 9]. Recent advances in such virtual reality interventions may extend to the development of robotic interventions. We examined feasibility of android robotmediated interview training in a group of young adults with ASD by measuring self-report regarding self-confidence/performance and salivary cortisol levels. We sought to assess both the self-reporting and physiological measures of arousal, to obtain a more objective view of the self-confidence in individuals with ASD

Participants

Procedures

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

ETHICS STATEMENT