Cognitive Support Technology for Postsecondary Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Registration Number: NCT04980963
• Lead Sponsor: Kent State University

Brief Summary

This study will fill important knowledge gaps in the availability of best practices that use innovative methods to integrate the cognitive and vocational needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who will be transitioning from 2- and 4-year postsecondary education to employment. Best practices exist from the assistive technology (AT) field to help people compensate for cognitive impairments, and from the vocational rehabilitation (VR) field to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. However, these practices have not been integrated to provide needed supports and services to improve the employment outcomes of students with ASD. The study's goal is to expand the availability of innovative practices by testing the efficacy of a technology-driven, long-term, and resource-rich individualized support program that merges assistive technology for cognition and vocational rehabilitation practices. The end products will include technology application guidelines, training and procedural manuals, and resource information that rehabilitation professionals and students with ADS can utilize to enhance technology and mentoring proficiency, academic success, self-determination, and long-term career success for students with ASD.

The knowledge to be gained from this research will have a beneficial impact on students with ASD, rehabilitation professionals, higher education personnel, case managers, and employers who work with people with ASD. There is strong potential for the students to develop skills that will help them succeed in learning as well as employment settings. The ultimate benefit of research activities for the target population will be seen in the improved capacity for postsecondary students with ADS to utilize state-of-the-art technology to accommodate disability-related limitations, address career readiness, and to prepare for and obtain employment after graduation.

Because the risks to subjects are no greater than those associated with everyday life and because the study staff will refer students who are in psychological distress or medical emergency situations to appropriate resources in the community, the minimal risks of this study justify the considerable benefits that this study will yield. Not only will the study benefit participating students, it stands to make important contributions to the knowledge bases in the fields of assistive technology and rehabilitation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-03-01
• Study First Submitted: 2020-09-17
• Status Verified: 2021-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-07-19
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-07-19
• Study First Posted: 2021-07-28
• Last Update Posted: 2021-07-28
• Primary Completion: 2024-06-30
• Study Completion: 2024-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

• Must be a post-secondary student enrolled in degree programs at two-year and four-year colleges or universities within a 60-mile radius of Kent, Ohio
• Must have a clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• No other exclusion criteria will be applied

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Grade Point Average (GPA)	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Participant GPA

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
% of Participants Receiving Disability Benefits	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Whether participants receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits or not
Current academic standing	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)
Satisfaction with current living status and transportation access	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using single item 5-point Likert question on questionnaire
Overall Health Status	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using RAND 36-item Health Survey
Acceptance of Disability	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using the Acceptance of Disability Scale- Short Form
Satisfaction with Social Support	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using single item 5-point Likert question on questionnaire
Current Employment Status	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Three items on questionnaire including dichotomous employment question (e.g., are you employed?), if yes, number of hours employed and weekly earnings.
Quality of Life (QoL)	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using the Qualify of Life Scale
Post-Secondary Enrollment Status	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	% of participants still enrolled in a postsecondary program
Perceived Stress	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using Perceived Stress Scale- 10
Depression Symptoms	Baseline (enrollment in study), 6 months, and 1 year (study completion)	Measured using Beck Depression Inventory- II (BDI-II)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kent State University; 🇺🇸 Kent, Ohio, United States