autism and social media final
TRANSCRIPT
Autism and Social Media - Developing New Connections
Avinash Patil, Social Media and Communities Manager, The National Autistic Society
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)
“Social Media is not about what each one of us does or says, but about what we do and say together, worldwide, to communicate in all directions at any time, by any possible (digital) means.” (Michelle Chmielewski – Synthesio)
“Social Media is digital content and interaction that is created by and between people.” (Sam Decker – Mass Relevance)
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, Flikr
Direct Messaging – Skype, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Line, Kakaotalk
Forums – NAS Community Forum, Network Autism , Aspievillage,Wrongplanet
Staggering Numbers!
1.4 billion active users – 50% every day 71% of adult internet users 20 million people “Like” pages every day
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 it is now!
Why do autistic people use Social Media?
Challenges with social communication• Face-to-face communication• Eye contact and body language• Sustaining conversation• General difficulties making and maintaining friendships
Social Media provides new options which address these challenges
Why do autistic people use Social media?
Social Communication
Social Interaction Social Imagination
Addressing the Triad of Impairments
Sensory Challenges
Text based and visual communication• More direct and literal
Clearer understanding of context and rules• NAS Community 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
Find 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
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
Technology for capturing and sharing moments cheap and accessible to a mass-market
Democratisation and Social Change
• Spikes occur before and during important events including straight after a supposed internet black out
Democratisation and Social Change
If the Arab Spring countries can achieve this level of action and social change imagine what the autism community can achieve?
Creative Self-Expression and Identity Freedom
Exploring of different identities and personasCould help with Social Imagination and put themselves in others’
shoes
Share only what they want to share when they want
Share experiences and advice
Freedom to be creative and share passions with others• Art• Blogging• Music
Creative Self-Expression and Identity Freedom
Aspie World is a UK Vlogger on the autism spectrum• Quirky and fun
look• Practical advice • Experience• 5,490 subscribers
Advocacy and Awareness
Public discussions and blogs increase awareness in the public
In 2014 ‘What is autism’ was the 6th most search term in ‘What is’ category on Google
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
More control within interactions
Posts and response can be well thought out and edited
Logical sequential progression of conversation vs unpredictable face-to-face communication
Understanding social consequences• If something went wrong possible to go back and learn• Viewing how others interact from a safe distance
Maintaining relationships and compartmentalising• E.g. Using lists on Facebook• Greater understanding of contextual communication
Like minds and special interests
Leverage special interests to reach other like minded people
Easily searchable niche communities• E.g. Photography, Technology, Gardening
Instant connection and commonality through shared special interests
Reach other autistic people with similar experiences• Less isolation
Large Existing Autism Communities
Wrong Planet - 80,000+ registered users• Set up 2004• 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
Opportunities to provide advice and support
Autistic people can share experience and tips
Increasingly young people’s first stop for support is online channels when talking about self-harm • Source: YoungMinds and the Cello group study
Possible to identify and provide support to vulnerable people on Social Media
NAS Social Media • Support touchpoint for our community
Professionals have greater visibility of the challenges of autistic people• Be where you’re needed and provide support
Good examples of sharing experience and knowledge
Risks
Deception
Autistic people could be more susceptible However, people on our community are extra sensitive to this
• More on guard for it
Cyberbullying and Trolling
Like in face-to-face interactions Autistic people could experience negative behaviours for being different Potentially as isolating as face-to-face Loss of control of shared information and further comments made by others However, it may be easier to disconnect and find other opportunities No immediate physical threat
No substitute for face-to-face
Social Media provides direct communication on their own terms
Social Media use should be used in conjunction with face-to-face interactions
Icebreaker which leads to a real world opportunities
Professionals should explore more opportunities of how their support can leverage Social Media with what they already do face-to-face.
No substitute for face-to-face
• Meetup.com is a Social Network that facilitates real world meeting of people with likeminded interests
• Autistic people are already using sites like to bridging online and face-to-face communication
Questions?
What are your experiences of Social Media?
Given what you have seen how do you think Social Media could be used to help you in your field?
Last word from Katie Walters, Slam Poet on the autism spectrum
Connect with us
Follow us: @autism
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalAutisticSociety
Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashpatil01
Or go old school and email me at [email protected]