Using Research-Based Strategies to Improve Job-Related Social and Communication Skills Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify intervention and non-intervention research-based resources that had been applied in vocational rehabilitation (VR) settings, or in collaboration with VR practitioners, to improve job-related social communication skills among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The search of seven databases, the gray literature, and recommendations from experts identified 290 resources, of which 42 met the review’s inclusion criteria. Since the purpose of a scoping review is to describe the landscape of available literature on a given topic, this review did not vet studies for quality nor exclude studies of interventions that did not lead to successful employment outcomes. Given its goal of identifying broadly relevant information available, the review included systematic reviews and resources from non-peer-reviewed, practitioner-oriented sources. The team developed four topical themes to categorize the publications: On-the-job social skills development, interviewing skills, self-advocacy, and compensatory strategies. Vocational rehabilitation professionals and other service practitioners may find elements of the research summarized here useful in their efforts to increase successful employment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with ASD.