Testing an Evidence-Based Supported Employment Model in Autistic Young Adults

NCT ID: NCT06829264

Last Updated: 2025-11-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-01

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to enhance employment outcomes for young adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the implementation of an evidence-based supported employment model known as Individual Placement and Support for Autism (IPS-AUT). The study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of IPS-AUT in promoting Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). The trial will involve partnerships with supported employment agencies, training providers in IPS-AUT, and assessing employment outcomes and implementation factors. The ultimate goal is to create a scalable, evidence-based employment support model for individuals with autism.

Detailed Description

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This study builds on prior research and pilot testing of IPS in the autism and IDD community by implementing a 12-month Hybrid Type 1 trial to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of IPS-AUT. The current study will include three primary aims:

Consumer Support Toolbox Development: Using data from previous focus groups, researchers will develop and test a Consumer Support Toolbox (CST) to align IPS services with autistic consumer needs.

IPS-AUT Implementation and Outcomes Evaluation: A 12-month Hybrid Type 1 trial will assess feasibility, acceptability, fidelity to IPS standards, and employment outcomes. The study aims for a minimum 50% success rate in Competitive Integrated Employment and at least 75% feasibility and acceptability.

Mediators of Employment Outcomes: Researchers will explore the role of parent/carer engagement and work-related social cognition in improving employment success.

This trial is designed to prepare for a larger R01-funded study by refining implementation strategies and addressing key barriers. Participants will include young adults with autism, their employment providers, and caregivers, with data collected through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and standardized assessments. The study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and conducted in collaboration with supported employment agencies in California.

Conditions

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Autism Spectrum Disorder Intellectual Disability

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Treatment Group - Agencies Receiving IPS

Participating agencies will be randomized, with 2/3 of agencies receiving IPS first. The estimated total number of agencies = 6 (each referring 10 consumers), meaning that 4 agencies (40 clients) would be assigned to receive IPS training first. These agencies will be expected to deliver IPS services for a duration of 12 months.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Individualized Placement and Support Model

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model is an evidence-based approach to supported employment designed to help individuals with disabilities achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment (CIE). IPS emphasizes person-centered planning, rapid engagement, and focusing on individual strengths and preferences. Key features include prioritizing CIE, eligibility based on the desire to work, integration of employment services with mental health support, rapid job searches, tailored job development, and time-unlimited, individualized support. IPS also provides benefits counseling to help participants manage employment while maintaining government benefits. For this study, IPS is adapted to meet the needs of autistic individuals by enhancing provider training and family involvement to improve outcomes.

Control Group - Agencies Receiving Supportive Employment Intervention

One third of the agencies (approximately 2 agencies and 20 consumers) will be assigned to the wait-list control group will continue to provide their usual services during the first 12 months. In addition, clients of these agencies will be offered a Supportive Employment Intervention, which includes weekly sessions offering support with some help on employment-related skills such as resume building, job interviewing, and workplace communication strategies.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Supportive Employment Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of a weekly series of sessions designed for adult consumers, incorporating supportive elements inspired by the ACCESS (Acquiring Career, Coping, Executive, and Social Skills) program developed at the UC Davis MIND Institute. The sessions will provide time to discuss consumer experiences, give general guidance and some training in employment-related skills, including resume building, job interviewing, and strategies for giving and receiving feedback in the workplace.

Interventions

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Individualized Placement and Support Model

The Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model is an evidence-based approach to supported employment designed to help individuals with disabilities achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment (CIE). IPS emphasizes person-centered planning, rapid engagement, and focusing on individual strengths and preferences. Key features include prioritizing CIE, eligibility based on the desire to work, integration of employment services with mental health support, rapid job searches, tailored job development, and time-unlimited, individualized support. IPS also provides benefits counseling to help participants manage employment while maintaining government benefits. For this study, IPS is adapted to meet the needs of autistic individuals by enhancing provider training and family involvement to improve outcomes.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Employment Intervention

This intervention consists of a weekly series of sessions designed for adult consumers, incorporating supportive elements inspired by the ACCESS (Acquiring Career, Coping, Executive, and Social Skills) program developed at the UC Davis MIND Institute. The sessions will provide time to discuss consumer experiences, give general guidance and some training in employment-related skills, including resume building, job interviewing, and strategies for giving and receiving feedback in the workplace.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Community diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, demonstrated by a letter from a healthcare provider, psychologist, other mental health professional, Regional Center representative, or school psychologist.
* Aged 18-40 years.
* Minimum 4th-grade reading level (approximately mild ID).
* Not currently employed but seeking employment.

Exclusion Criteria

\- Not interested in employment.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of California, Davis

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Marjorie Solomon, PhD, MBA

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, Davis

Locations

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University of California, Davis MIND Institute

Sacramento, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of California, Davis MIND Institute

Sacramento, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Jo A. Yon Hernandez, PhD

Role: CONTACT

9162674459

Facility Contacts

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Jo Ann Yon Hernandez, PhD

Role: primary

916-287-8946

Megan Smith, BA

Role: backup

9168573786

Jo Ann Yon Hernandez, PhD

Role: primary

916-703-0389

References

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Drake RE, Bond GR, Goldman HH, Hogan MF, Karakus M. Individual Placement And Support Services Boost Employment For People With Serious Mental Illnesses, But Funding Is Lacking. Health Aff (Millwood). 2016 Jun 1;35(6):1098-105. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0001.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27269028 (View on PubMed)

Bond GR, Becker DR, Drake RE, Rapp CA, Meisler N, Lehman AF, Bell MD, Blyler CR. Implementing supported employment as an evidence-based practice. Psychiatr Serv. 2001 Mar;52(3):313-22. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.52.3.313.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11239097 (View on PubMed)

Bond GR, Drake RE, Becker DR. Generalizability of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment outside the US. World Psychiatry. 2012 Feb;11(1):32-9. doi: 10.1016/j.wpsyc.2012.01.005.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22295007 (View on PubMed)

Drake RE, Bond GR, Mascayano F. Modification of the Individual Placement and Support Model of Supported Employment. Psychiatr Serv. 2023 Jun 1;74(6):656-658. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220484. Epub 2023 Jan 31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36718603 (View on PubMed)

Solomon M, Yon-Hernandez JA, Ruder S, McGurk SR, Tancredi D, Takarae Y, Stahmer AC. A randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and work outcomes of individualized placement and support adapted for autistic adults in the community. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2025 Aug 19;47:101536. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101536. eCollection 2025 Oct.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40893727 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2024578

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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