SOCIAL MEDIA WITH AUTISTIC PEOPLE 15
Social Media with Autistic People
Nicole Iriarte
Social Media in a Global Context
Abstract
This paper is aimed at highlighting the global issue of social media and autistic people. Autism, a social and communication disorder, is a global phenomenon with 1 in 68 people being diagnosed with the developmental disorder and countless others who remain undiagnosed or who are part of the larger broad autism phenotype. With the growth in technology in a globalized world, there are more and more social networking and communication demands placed on average people to compete in a global jobs market and to thrive in a social media rich world. This paper seeks to examine how social media is helpful or harmful to Autistic people around the world. In a connected world, Autistic people are no longer relegated to the confines of institutions or the home and marginalized to the shadows, social media connects Autistic people together and exposes the social constraints they face. It also allows individuals to hear their voices and examine the research being done in various countries to improve their lives.
Table of Contents
Social Media with Autistic People…………………………….…………………………………..4
Introduction………………………………………………………………..………………………4
About Social Media and Autistic People….....................................................................................4
Myths about Social Media and Autistic People…………………………………………………..6
The Impacts of Social Media on Autistic People………………………………………………….7
Addressing Autistic People in Social Media……………………………………………………...7
Individuals and Organizations Dealing with Autistic People......................................................…7
Comparing Research Strategies and Resources………………………………………………..…8
“Traditional” and Social Media Resources used…………………………………………….........8
Strengths of Traditional and Media Research Strategies…………………………….…………10
Weaknesses of Tradition and Media Research Strategies………………………………………10
Reasons, Why the Above Mentioned, are Most Useful…………………………………………10
Useful “Traditional” and Social Media Resource……………………………………………….11
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………....12
References……………………………………………………………………………………….13
Social Media with Autistic People
Introduction
Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and websites among others are some of the platforms that are used in social media (Caton, & Chapman, 2016). They are utilized by individuals from all walks of life. However, this paper will narrow down to how autistic people use such platforms. It will look at whether social media platforms bring comfort to autistic people and whether it helps them to be part of the society today.
Social media provides succor and support to individuals. It creates forums used to communicate with others about various issues such as experiences, challenges, and even feelings. In the same way, just like the people free from autism, autistic people may have the urge to institute networks in social media with their peers (Furr, Carreiro, & McArthur, 2016). They make and meet friends and establish connections that drives away the loneliness in autistic people.
About Social Media and Autistic People
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. However, symptoms and their severity vary widely across these three core areas. Taken together, they may result in relatively mild challenges for someone on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. For others, symptoms may be more severe, as when repetitive behaviors and lack of spoken language interfere with everyday life. Autism is considered as a bio-neurological disorder and can start at a younger age of as low as three years. Autism is a condition that occurs in both males and females, and it cuts across all the age groups (Hemsley, Palmer, & Balandin, 2014). It should therefore not be perceived that it's for one gender or be assumed that it's for the young and does not affect the old.
Autism has been prevalent in recent years; it is not a new problem. It has been a problem for years. But with time there has been a change in thinking and perception about autism. Many types of research have been done where researchers have focused solely on the impact of life experiences while overlooking the genetics and biological differences in growth and development of the brain (Holmes, & O'Loughlin, 2014).
It affects the growth and development of the brain, especially regarding social development. It poses challenges which run regarding verbal and non-verbal communications, difficulties in the social process of interaction and also how autistic people make use of their leisure time. Individuals who have autism are not "socially correct" and may feel alienated. But with social media, they can find solace.
Social media plays a great deal in social life regarding meeting and making friends. Especially today where we are living in a world of constant technological advancement, people have easy access to phones, laptops, and the internet all over (Obst, & Stafurik, 2010). One can have an account on the various social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter even at a younger age and irrespective of being autistic or non-autistic.
With an account, one can create connections and interact with people of different classes. It helps them to create and claim their identity in social media. In as much as the social media have been found to help people with ASD, it is not always that it will do well to them.
However, it's good to have a control on the use of such accounts. Social media and autism though may be difficult to monitor as people with autism spectrum disorders may not correctly understand some social prompts from their peers. Inability to fully control social media and autism poses some risks and misunderstandings (Hynan, Murray, & Goldbart, (2014). Some of the risks are online bullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and lack of development in some social skills. Face –to-face communication is not part of the social media. It is also short of voice tones, and postures and gestures are not incorporated well into social media, and one of the problems with autism and social media is that these skills cannot be sufficiently improved through social media (Obst, & Stafurik, 2010).
The question of whether social media can be of help to people diagnosed with autism is thus brought forth. With social media, these people have no worries as they interact with people by writing something and expressing themselves while avoiding one on one communication. They can explore opportunities where they can also utilize their unique talents.
Myths about Social Media and Autistic People
Many misconceptions and beliefs for people with autistic spectrum disorders exist. So many thoughts and ideas about autism are prominent in the mind of the people. They hold beliefs based on the causes, treatment or diagnosis of autism and the characteristic of autistic people and how they behave (Parsloe, S. M. 2015). Common misconceptions about autistic people are but not limited to a number of factors.
Autistic people are thought to be rough and violent. Emotional pain and emotional overload in autistic people are the causative agents to their violent act and no relation to their autism nature. However, it is infrequent that autistic people will behave and act violently out of malevolence and pose a danger to the society.
People hold a belief that autism can be cured and that therapy programs on conduct and characters associated with autism cuts across the border. As to when to treat autistic people is relative because people are different and their response to effective therapies program is different too (Altinay, et al, 2016). It has been discovered that currently there is no life cure for autism.
Dissecting opinions as to the causes of autism exist. Many hold it that Autism is a mental disability but from the definition above it is a neurological disorder. It has been backed up by a variety of studies which have revealed a correlation of cause to irregularity in brain structure.
Social media can challenge and/or perpetuate social myths about autism and these myths can make autistic people’s lives harder or challenging them can make their lives easier. So social media can challenge myths and spread awareness and acceptance of Autistic people, but it can also spread myths and inspiration porn and focus people on the wrong things. Talk about how challenging myths is a global strategy to help people across the world.
Social media aids in communication. They can use social media to communicate and discuss about how autistic people often have non-typical ways of communicating. Also, social media can assist, by letting them focus less on speech and less on making their bodies appear typical in communication. By using social media they don’t have to focus on eye contact, tone of voice, voice modulation, etc. They can just type what they want to say and this fits better with their communication styles. As more jobs become online, but still require online communication, this can help them demonstrate that which, allows them to communicate in alternative ways. These people can use this communication tool to advocate for policies that are friendlier to Autistic people and feel “heard”. Some have even started businesses to help others/parents/teachers understand Autistic people by using social media tools to communicate with people all over.
Social media can aid in social skills and connecting with peers and social support then end with this one because I think it is the best one and again bring in the global talking about how they can meet peers all over the world, form advocacy groups, support each other in advocating for rights in their own countries, and be part of the disability rights movement online.
The Impacts of Social Media on Autistic People
Social media plays a great deal in social life concerning meeting and making friends. Especially today where we are living in a world of constant technological advancement, people have easy access to phones, laptops, and the internet all over. One can have an account on the various social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter even at a younger age and irrespective of being autistic or non-autistic (Altinay, et al, 2016). With an account, one can create connections and interact with people of different classes. It helps them to create and claim their identity in social media.
Addressing Autistic People in Social Media
Social media platforms through individuals and organization have however made it possible to resolve this issue. They are not biased regarding who can have an account with them. Anybody can create and have an account with any of these platforms regardless of them being autistic.
Individuals and Organizations Dealing with Autistic People
Mc Keone launched the first and only online program that teaches digital skills and other disabilities in development to autistic people. This program has been made available to parents private and public schools. It is called Autism Expressed. This program helps the learners to build on skills that are taught in special need programs, and it also prepares them for life school. It can be bought through online subscriptions and can be used for up to two years. In the program, students learn various concepts through lessons that are broken down into small and manageable parts. Mc Keone is extending her brand with Digitability. It is a product that will teach and expose learners with special needs to digital skills to students at various levels.
National Autistic Association, a leading United Kingdom charity organization that deals with autistic people and their families. It leads in campaigning for a better world as far as the autistic people are concerned. It offers support and gives information and services to autistic people.
Solving Problems by Individual and Organization Related to Social Media and Autistic people
Most prominent problems associated with autistic people speech problems and language. Individuals and group can take part in solving these problems using various approaches. One of them is a direct referral to the relevant specialists for proper diagnosis and treatment programs. When autism spectrum disorder has been identified, it's nice to start the important program immediately.
Language pathologists are individuals who help in solving these problems by first conducting an in-depth analysis of the child's ability to communicate (Parsloe, S. M. 2015). Upon completing the evaluation, an appropriate treatment program has to be designed. The program is tailored on the outcomes of the assessment. Additionally, the pathologist can also make further referrals for further tests and analysis.
People with communication problems are taught how to communicate to help them exploit their full potential. Some programs for this avenue are employed, but the best way is to start early when young at pre unit years. Such learning programs are customized to suit the particular person's age. The realistic objective of the treatment is to improve their verbal communication. To attain the goal guardians and parents are also part and parcel of the program. They are the next party that pays attention to the language development of the child. They are part of the child's daily life.
Organizations such as the National Autistic Association help in creating awareness and enlighten people on autism. An open social media platform is highly encouraged because in such platforms experiences on autism can be shared by people from different walks of life. Besides sharing experiences, bits of advice are exchanged. It creates confidence in people living with autism, and they get a sense of belonging.
Comparing Research Strategies and Resources
“Traditional” and Social Media Resources Used
Traditional resource used this case involves first having an in-depth understanding of the topic. What does the argument entail? After having an insight of what the topic is all about then, it is about identifying the various sources of information. During the research process, the item was analyzed. Information was collected from different sources including but not limited to textbooks, research work from other scholars, ideas from other parties, websites and knowledge acquired and gained in class during this study ( Morris, R. 2013).. Others sources include articles, and blogs.
Media resources such as audial and visual sources were used during the research process. Information from all these was integrated and synthesized to give high-quality inferences. It is then consolidated to this research paper.
Strengths of “Traditional” and Media Resources
Traditional resources include but not limited to traditional support groups such as face to face communication, participants who are may be more mindful of their sentiments and who are well behaved, sharing of ideas and stories. These support groups or sources of information provide support regarding strength and confidence and foster hope in the people with autism. Information from the "traditional" resource is highly reliable backed by data and files of information from the research works. Observation over time also provides with the relevant backing. Sources media resources are reliable as similar information occurs in different areas though not in the same approaches.