YouTube’s role in shaping autism perceptions

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A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that YouTube plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Analysis of the content and comments of ASD-related YouTube videos uncovered both positive and negative influences on public understanding.

ASD is a common neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication challenges and repetitive behaviors. Despite its prevalence, ASD is often misunderstood, leading to stigma and misconceptions. Social media platforms, particularly YouTube, have become powerful tools for disseminating information and shaping public opinion about ASD.

Led by Schwab Bakombo from the University of Ottawa, the research team aimed to explore how ASD is portrayed on YouTube and how viewers perceive this content. They conducted a comprehensive content analysis of YouTube videos and comments from 2019 and 2022. The study focused on identifying prevalent themes, sentiments, and instances of stigmatization in the videos and comments.

To gather data, Bakombo and colleagues searched YouTube using keywords related to ASD, including “autism, autism spectrum disorder, autistic disorder, autistic behavior, and Asperger’s”. In 2019, they analyzed 50 videos and 500 comments, while in 2022, they examined 9 videos and 180 comments. The videos were categorized based on their themes, such as providing educational information, discussing personal experiences, and displaying daily life. Comments were analyzed for sentiment and categorized into themes and subthemes.

The study found that the dominant theme in the videos was providing educational information about ASD (57.2% of videos). These videos aimed to educate viewers about the characteristics, diagnosis, and interventions related to ASD, and most of the videos were not specific to any sex or gender (32.6% of videos).

Personal experiences and daily life activities were also common themes, with individuals sharing their stories and showcasing their routines. Additionally, majority of the video comments were of anecdotal nature, with commenters describing experiences of their own lives or of a significant other.

Interestingly, the majority of the videos had mixed sentiments, presenting both positive and negative aspects of ASD. This balanced approach provided viewers with a more dynamic understanding of the condition. However, the comments on these videos were predominantly negative.

One significant finding was the minimal use of damaging language (such as referring to people with autism as “suffering”) and stigmatization in the videos and comments. Only a small percentage of the content used non-person-first language or perpetuated harmful stereotypes. This indicates a positive trend towards more respectful and accurate representations of ASD on YouTube.

Some limitations should be noted. The sample size was limited to English-language videos with a significant number of comments, which may not fully represent the global perspective on ASD. Additionally, the reliance on YouTube’s relevance sorting algorithm could introduce bias in video selection.

The study, “The Influence of Social Media on the Perception of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Content Analysis of Public Discourse on YouTube Videos,” was authored by Schwab Bakombo, Paulette Ewalefo, and Anne T. M. Konkle.