BRIDGING - Breakthrough interview extended reality training towards reducing the autism employment gap

Background Meaningful work enables people to lead independent and rewarding lives. Whilst over 50% of autistic people are believed to be able to undertake paid work, data shows that less than 30% do so. The UK must do more in order to match the efforts of other more successful countries, such as Sweden, where 60% of autistic people are in employment. We have identified, through engagement with service users at the Kimel Foundation and wider research, that the interview process and the first few days of work are very challenging for adults with autism, representing a significant barrier into employment. Aims and objectives We aim to co-design and develop a Virtual Reality (VR) package that helps autistic people to practice interview skills and overcome interview and work-related anxieties by immersing them into scenarios they are likely to experience so they may practice responses in a safe environment. We also aim to test the acceptability of the VR package, and the feasibility of a future study to evaluate its impact. Service users have indicated an enthusiasm for this alternative to more traditional methods of support. Methods and timelines This 30-month study will have three main work packages: WP1: Project setup, rapid realist review, scenario preparation (months 1-8) – to identify the issues that cause problems for autistic people during interviews and early employment. This method not only identifies important themes, it enables an exploration of the context and mechanisms behind autistic people s experiences, which may be helpful in designing scenarios. WP2: Create a portfolio of immersive VR scenarios and prepare for a feasibility study (months 7-18) – through participatory design workshops, followed by testing. Workshop participants will be recruited via three sites, the Kimel Foundation (Wokingham), Tees Valley Buddies (Middlesborough) and Avanti Fields School (Leicester). These sites serve a diverse community including a range of socioeconomic and ethnic groups. WP3: Feasibility study, analysis, and dissemination (months 19-36) - testing the feasibility and acceptability of scenarios and training materials, plus the feasibility of a future trial of the intervention s impact in the Wokingham, Middlesborough, and Leicester sites, with staff and autistic people who have not been involved in earlier development. Data will be analysed, and findings disseminated. Anticipated impact and dissemination In the short term, this project will produce a portfolio of immersive VR scenarios, supported by training materials, tested for feasibility and acceptability, and ready for further evaluation. Our co-applicants, the Kimel Foundation, will help disseminate research findings to other well-connected service providers and through presentations (including VR demonstrations) at public events. We will also produce papers and presentations for academic and social care professionals. A medium-term goal would see project outputs formally evaluated, assessing impact on employment. In the longer-term, we envisage an expansion of the portfolio to cover a greater range of scenarios e.g., different work environments, enabling a better fit of person to job.