Is the week over yet? Insight for educators about social network support among cyber mothers raising children with ASD

Abstract

This study examined the motivation to participate in social networks maintained by mothers who blog and raise children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The qualitative data analyzed in this study originated from a larger project that examined the perceptions, experiences, and meanings among mothers who maintained public blogs while parenting a child with ASD. This analysis included only statements that explained why the mothers blogged. The researchers developed classifications of statements that expressed why they blogged into common themes and developing an emerging theory based on these patterns. Parallels were drawn to the social network and social support framework to amplify the role of support in this virtual network. The findings indicate that these mothers find blogs help them develop unique virtual networks marked by emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support. The implications include suggestions for strengthening home – school relations.

Keywords:

• autism
• virtual networks
• social support
• home–school relations