autism, social media and community

Autism, Social Media and Community

Avinash Patil, Social Media Consultant@NiteGlow

What is Social Media?

“Social Media is the democratisation by which anyone can become a consumer or publisher of content through online channels. It enables people to share information and engage in a global real-time conversation.” (Avinash Patil)

Different flavours…

Large Social Networks – Facebook, Linkedin

Public Microblogging and Blogging Platforms – Twitter, Tumblr, Wordpress

Video Sharing and Discussion Platforms – YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion

Photosharing sites – Instagram, Flickr

Direct Messaging – Skype, Whatsapp, Snapchat

Internal Forums – NAS Community Forum, Network Autism , Aspievillage, Wrongplanet

Staggering numbers!

Facebook

1.4 billion active users – 50% every day 71% of adult internet users & 58% of entire adult population 20 million people “Like” pages every day

Twitter

320 million active users worldwide 500 million tweets every day

A world of social connections

• Map of Facebook connections around the world in 2010 – Imagine what is now!

Large Existing Autism Communities

Wrong Planet - 80,000+ registered users• Set up 2004• Advice, tips and practical advice driven by autistic people

NAS Community – 13,276 registered users• Set up 2010• Peer-to-Peer support• Sign-posting to relevant information on NAS website• Anonymous – leads to freedom to discuss difficult topics

Advocacy and Awareness

In 2014 ‘What is autism’ was the 6th most searched term in ‘What is’ category on Google

Why do autistic people use Social Media?

Challenges with social communication• Face-to-face communication• Eye contact and body language• Sustaining conversation• Making and maintaining friendships

Social Media provides new options of addressing these challenges

Why do autistic people use Social media?

Social Communication

Social Interaction Social Imagination

Addressing the Triad of Impairments

Sensory Challenges

Creative self-expression and connection through common interests

Exploring of different identities and personas

Text based and visual communication• More direct and literal

Clearer understanding of context and rules

More time to process and respond

Often less overwhelming than physical social situations• No need to interpret body language or facial

expression

Always on

Why do autistic people use Social Media?

64.00%

22.10%

5.20%3.90% 3.90%

Social Engagement and Common ConnectionEntertainmentNo specific reasonBusiness and WorkKeeping in touch with friends and relatives

Most autistic people use Social Media for Social Engagement and Common Connection

Friends or Romantic Partners

Option that did not exist before

Source: Jemma Byrne, Autism and Social Media: An exploration of the use of computer mediated communications by individuals on the autism spectrum, University of Glasgow, Scottish Autism

Connectedness, Emotions and Empathy

Social Media offers new opportunities for a feeling of connectedness

Social interactions such as likes and Emoji provide discreet ways of conveying affinity and a wide range of emotions

‘Likes’ can also be used as icebreakers in conversations

Good examples of sharing experience and knowledge

Good examples of sharing experience and knowledge

Aspie World is a UK Vlogger on the autism spectrum• Quirky and fun

look• Practical advice • Experience• 5,490 subscribers

Democratisation and Social Change

Social Media has been used successful for rapid Social change• Voice to the Voiceless – People are part of the collective conversation• Arab Spring 2011-2012 utilised it effectively to challenge and oust

oppressive regimes

Access was less defined by sociological factors like class but rather technical ability and an internet connection

Democratisation and Social Change

Social Media played a key role in US Election and Brexit People VS the Establishment

It successfully predicted the outcome Traditional polls got it wrong

Democratisation and Social Change

Imagine the social change the autism community can achieve with more effective use of Social Media…

Community

Social Media empowers autistic people to develop virtual and real world communities around important issues

Should look to develop this to full potential

Mobilise positive action, awareness and acceptance