The Impact of Simulated Interviews for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

The purpose of this research study was to explore the efficacy of role-playing and coaching in mixed-reality environments for the acquisition and generalization of social skills leading to successful job interview performance. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, five young adults with intellectual disability practiced interviewing in a mixed-reality environment and were rated on the use of appropriate social skills and overt behaviors during the mock interviews. Generalization and maintenance were assessed by the participant’s ability to display appropriate social skills and overt behaviors in a face-to-face interview in a live environment. The intervention demonstrated to be effective in fostering the acquisition of job interview skills in the mixed reality setting as well as generalization in face-to-face interviews.