A Clinic-Based Assessment for Evaluating Job-Related Social Skills in Adolescents and Adults with Autism

Lerman et al. (2017) built a short clinic test for teens and adults with autism. The test looks like a real job site. Staff act as supervisors and co-workers.

Eight people tried the test. Each person had to ask for help, ask for supplies, and take feedback. Trainers scored every response.

All eight people showed clear gaps in at least one work skill. Some could ask for help but froze when given feedback. Others never asked for supplies.

The test took under an hour yet gave a fast map of which skills needed teaching.

Grob et al. (2019) later used the same skill list to teach three adults with BST. Their results show the test items are teachable targets, not just labels.

Yamamoto et al. (2020) moved from broad skills to tiny niceties like “good morning.” Both studies kept the mock-office set-up, showing the setting itself is useful across goals.

McLucas et al. (2024) tried video modeling for the same skills but saw shaky generalization. Their mixed outcome warns that teaching the skill is only step one; you still need real-work probes.

You can copy this clinic snapshot before any vocational program. Run the role-plays, note the weak spots, then build your teaching plan around those exact responses. No fancy gear needed—just two staff, a desk, and a checklist.