Interview skills training for people with neurodevelopmental disorders receiving vocational services: A pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: People with neurodevelopmental disorders often face significant challenges to finding and keeping employment including engaging in a job interview. Successfully navigating a job interview is a complex and essential stage to finding employment and requires skillful behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the feasibility of the Presenting Qualifications intervention for people with neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS: Direct skills teaching (DST) is a researched method that can be utilized to help people learn a new skill. The current study implemented a multi-session, group based work-related soft skills intervention (“Presenting Qualifications”) for 76 people with various neurodevelopmental disorders via a DST approach. RESULTS: Participants reported increased perceived interview preparedness from pre to post intervention. Participants also reported satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests soft skills interventions delivered in group settings can be successfully implemented among people with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.