A Tale of the Social-Side of ASD

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience difficulty in social interaction resulting in a lack of close social connections. Online social networking sites show promise in enabling individuals with ASD to make connections as the media of communication is often void of complexities present in real-life situations (e.g., real-time interpretation of complex social and emotional cues). We conducted a systematic content analysis of the Autism and Asperger's subreddits to understand user types, interaction patterns and trends, and user's experience, expectations, and unmet needs pertaining to these online communities. Our analysis revealed several interesting findings including the presence of 15 different topic areas, the tone and preference of the community, the difference in communication style between individuals with ASD and other related members (e.g., parents, therapists). Our analysis signified a need for an accessible and inclusive social networking site design that will cater to the specific needs of this community.