Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT05949086
An Online Evaluation of Work Chat
A study testing Work Chat in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study is aiming to see if it is feasible for the intervention Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting to adults with autism spectrum disorder. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Work Chat
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 234 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Jul 2023to 25 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 18 years or older
- Has 4th grade or higher reading level
- Employed or Unemployed and searching for employment within the next 3 months
- Has access to a computer, laptop, or tablet that has connection to the internet and a camera (not including smartphone)
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: An Online Evaluation of Work Chat: A Virtual Workday Among Employed Autistic Adults
This study is aiming to see if it is feasible for the intervention Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting to adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Read the detailed description
Nearly 50,000 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transition from high school to adult life each year, with only 25% of these transition-age youth with ASD (TAY-ASD) getting jobs within 2 years of graduation. TAY-ASD's ability to sustain employment is even more challenging due in part to their social cognitive deficits (e.g., poorly reading social cues) that disrupt communicating with customers, coworkers, and supervisors. Research shows nearly 90% of job dismissals among TAY-ASD are attributed to poor work-based social functioning (e.g., poorly communicating with upset customers). The subsequent unemployment has damaging effects on their mental, physical, and economic health. A critical gap in federally-mandated services to support youth with ASD as they transition from school-to-adult life is the lack of evidence-based practice to enhance their work-based social functioning. Given that TAY-ASD report computerized training tools are highly acceptable and improve their real-world outcomes, the investigators propose to address this critical barrier to sustained employment by developing and evaluating a novel and scalable computerized training tool to enhance their conversations with customers, coworkers and supervisors at work.
The investigators are aiming to see if it is feasible for Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting and not within schools or other sites. The investigators are also evaluating the tool specifically with employed adults who have autism spectrum disorder.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Being tested
- Work Chat
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Work ChatBehavioural
Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Work Chat Later | No intervention | This group will not receive Work Chat during the study, but will receive Work Chat access after data collection is complete. |
| Work Chat Now | Experimental | Behavioral: Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting. Receives: Behavioral: Work Chat |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Theory of Mind - Hinting Task
Measured by the hinting task (Corcoran, Mercer, \& Frith, 1995), which comprises 10 short stories describing an interaction between two characters, all of which end with one of the characters making a hint. At the end of each passage, the participant is asked what the hint meant. If they give a correct response (score 2), they move onto the next item. If they fail, they are provided with extra information to help interpret the hint. A correct recognition of the hint at this stage scores 1. Total score can be 0-20, with a higher score being a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Change in Emotion Recognition Ability - MiniPONs
Measured by the MiniPONS, which is a short, multichannel version of the established Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (PONS) test (Rosenthal et al., 1979). The short multichannel version (64 items) available here correlates very highly with the full version and shows reasonable construct validity through significant correlations with other tests of emotion recognition ability. A total score is calculated at the end, total score can be 0-64, with a higher score being a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Greater sustained employment by 9 Months
Self-report employment surveys completed at baseline and follow ups. Employment will be tracked as 0 (no job) and 1 (job). Higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Measured: 9 Month Follow Up (approximately 9 Months after randomization)
Change in Managing Emotions
The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) is an ability-based test designed to measure the four branches of the EI model of Mayer and Salovey. This study will only use the Managing Emotions Subscale, which measures the ability to be be open to emotions and feelings and integrate emotions with thinking. There are 29 scenarios presented, with higher score ranges indicating a positive outcome and lower score ranges indicating a worse outcome. The score ranges are as follows: Improve (worse), Consider Developing, Competent, Skilled, and Expert (positive).
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Anxiety
Measured by the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) self-report survey. Items are on a 5 point scale with 0 being "not at all" and 4 being "extremely". Total score can be 0-80, with higher scores indicating higher anxiety, a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jul 2023
- Study start7 Jul 2023
- Primary completion25 Jul 2025
- Study completion25 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MichiganThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 234 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SIMmersion, LLC
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Matthew Smith, University of Michigan
- Investigators
- Matthew J Smith, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Michigan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05949086
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUM00228606
- Other IDs
- R44MH123359-01
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 7 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 8 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Sherwood KL, Erickson D, Burke-Miller J, Smith MJ. "I Try to Act Like a Neurotypical so it Makes Customers More Comfortable": A Mixed Methods Analysis of Autistic Camouflaging at Work. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s10803-026-07476-0. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42545632
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- An Online Evaluation of Work Chat: A Virtual Workday Among Employed Autistic Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05949086
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUM00228606
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 234 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MichiganUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SIMmersion, LLC
- Study start
- 7 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 25 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is aiming to see if it is feasible for the intervention Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting to adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Detailed description
Nearly 50,000 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transition from high school to adult life each year, with only 25% of these transition-age youth with ASD (TAY-ASD) getting jobs within 2 years of graduation. TAY-ASD's ability to sustain employment is even more challenging due in part to their social cognitive deficits (e.g., poorly reading social cues) that disrupt communicating with customers, coworkers, and supervisors. Research shows nearly 90% of job dismissals among TAY-ASD are attributed to poor work-based social functioning (e.g., poorly communicating with upset customers). The subsequent unemployment has damaging effects on their mental, physical, and economic health. A critical gap in federally-mandated services to support youth with ASD as they transition from school-to-adult life is the lack of evidence-based practice to enhance their work-based social functioning. Given that TAY-ASD report computerized training tools are highly acceptable and improve their real-world outcomes, the investigators propose to address this critical barrier to sustained employment by developing and evaluating a novel and scalable computerized training tool to enhance their conversations with customers, coworkers and supervisors at work.
The investigators are aiming to see if it is feasible for Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting and not within schools or other sites. The investigators are also evaluating the tool specifically with employed adults who have autism spectrum disorder.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Work Chat Later | No intervention | –This group will not receive Work Chat during the study, but will receive Work Chat access after data collection is complete. |
| Work Chat Now | Experimental | Behavioral: Work ChatBehavioral: Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 18 years or older
- Has 4th grade or higher reading level
- Employed or Unemployed and searching for employment within the next 3 months
- Has access to a computer, laptop, or tablet that has connection to the internet and a camera (not including smartphone)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Work ChatWork Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting. | Behavioural | Work Chat Now |
Primary outcome
Change in Theory of Mind - Hinting Task
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Measured by the hinting task (Corcoran, Mercer, \& Frith, 1995), which comprises 10 short stories describing an interaction between two characters, all of which end with one of the characters making a hint. At the end of each passage, the participant is asked what the hint meant. If they give a correct response (score 2), they move onto the next item. If they fail, they are provided with extra information to help interpret the hint. A correct recognition of the hint at this stage scores 1. Total score can be 0-20, with a higher score being a better outcome.
Change in Emotion Recognition Ability - MiniPONs
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Measured by the MiniPONS, which is a short, multichannel version of the established Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (PONS) test (Rosenthal et al., 1979). The short multichannel version (64 items) available here correlates very highly with the full version and shows reasonable construct validity through significant correlations with other tests of emotion recognition ability. A total score is calculated at the end, total score can be 0-64, with a higher score being a better outcome.
Greater sustained employment by 9 Months
Time frame: 9 Month Follow Up (approximately 9 Months after randomization)
Self-report employment surveys completed at baseline and follow ups. Employment will be tracked as 0 (no job) and 1 (job). Higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Change in Managing Emotions
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) is an ability-based test designed to measure the four branches of the EI model of Mayer and Salovey. This study will only use the Managing Emotions Subscale, which measures the ability to be be open to emotions and feelings and integrate emotions with thinking. There are 29 scenarios presented, with higher score ranges indicating a positive outcome and lower score ranges indicating a worse outcome. The score ranges are as follows: Improve (worse), Consider Developing, Competent, Skilled, and Expert (positive).
1 secondary outcome
Change in Anxiety
Time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Dec 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42545632Sherwood KL, Erickson D, Burke-Miller J, Smith MJ. "I Try to Act Like a Neurotypical so it Makes Customers More Comfortable": A Mixed Methods Analysis of Autistic Camouflaging at Work. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s10803-026-07476-0. Online ahead of print.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Matthew J Smith, PhD principal investigator
University of Michigan
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Work Chat in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Theory of Mind - Hinting Task (time frame: Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05949086, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Dec 2025.