Using Direct Skills Teaching to Improve Job Skills for Persons With Disabilities

Abstract

This study evaluated whether a direct skills training (DST) approach for persons with disabilities can better prepare participants for job interviews. Twenty graduate students in a master's program in rehabilitation counseling at various agency internship sites were trained in a 4-session Presenting Qualifications curriculum based on DST administered to 126 participants in 20 group settings. Participants reported greater confidence and preparedness in the interview process, in answering difficult questions, and in highlighting past accomplishments after the group. Results support the feasibility of training entry-level rehabilitation counselors in the DST approach to teach job interview skills to individuals with disabilities.

Feasibility of Work-Related Interviewing and Conversational Skills Trainings for Individuals With Psychiatric Disabilities

“…A total of 87 individuals with psychiatric disabilities participated in Study 1, receiving the "Presenting Qualifications" intervention. The findings of 27 of the 87 participants were reported in an earlier study (Oursler et al, 2019). The earlier study reported data for people with various disabilities and did not provide analyses specifically for people with psychiatric disabilities.…”

“…This study implemented two curricula (“Presenting Qualifications” and “Conversing with Others”) among persons with psychiatric disorders who are receiving community mental health, vocational, or housing services. Both utilized DST as designed to help persons with psychiatric disabilities to communicate effectively to employers the skills that qualify them for a position (Oursler et al, 2019) or to engage in lunch time conversations with coworkers (Lu et al, 2020b). The study assessed the feasibility (i.e., acceptability and practicality) of the interventions in increasing perceived interview preparedness or in increasing perceived conversational ease with coworkers.…”

Soft skills for success for job seekers with autism spectrum disorder

“…This skill includes choosing topics, demonstrating interest in what others are saying (verbally and non-verbally), changing a topic, and concluding the conversation. This skill can extend beyond the workplace, however the performance environment targeted as part of this curriculum was employment-related (Lu et al, 2020;Oursler et al, 2019).…”

“…3) Further developing the curriculum to become a brief, targeted intervention specifically for people with ASD would likely be useful. The curriculum and a DST training approach for work related soft skills has been effective with other populations (Oursler et al, 2019). Previous literature suggests that when working with persons with autism using cognitive behavior therapy approach, there are several ways to make CBT work for persons with autism.…”

The employee's job satisfaction during pandemic covid-19 and the counselor's role

“…In other research also discussed the outplacement service for employees to improve the results in the field. There are still many of them who are more satisfied in providing professional job training as compared to the work transfer, and external outplacement usually more offer a relatively high salary, but they feel not getting emotional service (Kilcrease, 2013;Oursler, Lu, Herrick, & Harris, 2019;Rahmani, Doshmanziari, & Asgari, 2018). An employee's job satisfaction is essential to a Human Resource or a counselor.…”