Exploring the Use of the Internet by Caregivers of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders to Obtain Caregiving Information

Abstract

This paper reports on data from a population of caregivers of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to examine the extent and motivations for their use of the Internet to obtain information on caregiving. The study found not only considerable interest for web-based information but also a strong bifurcation among respondents on the preferential type of information. The majority of respondents indicated that websites that provide factual information about caregiving are most important. Other respondents saw the Internet as a vehicle for social exchanges about ASD. Regardless of their preferred method to consume web-based information, all respondents reported using websites to obtain caregiving information.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• caregiver stress
• Internet
• web-based resources

Acknowledgments

The research reported in this paper was supported in part by contract number HHS-N-271–2008-00029C from the National Institute of Mental Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric C. Twombly

Eric C. Twombly, Ph.D. ([email protected]) is a principal research associate at KDH Research & Communication, 730 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 820, Atlanta, GA 30308.

Kristen D. Holtz

Kristen D. Holtz, Ph.D. ([email protected]) is the founder and president of KDH Research & Communication, 730 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 820, Atlanta, GA 30308.

Alison Daub-Sychra

Alison Daub-Sychra ([email protected]) is formerly a research assistant at KDH Research & Communication, and is currently a graduate student at Oxford University.