Autism+and+Facebook

Accessibility to social media and access to it in the classroom is a growing topic that current educators should be conscious of. Social media in general allows individuals to connect socially, share ideas, learn from each other, and connect with people with similar interests as well as with those who are different. Social media can bridge physical/geographic gaps between students from across the world, but it can also bridge the gap between students of differing abilities. Specifically, students who fall within the Autism Spectrum can utilize social media as a tool to help them communicate with peers. Students with Autism struggle with anxiety when it comes to face to face interaction inhibiting their ability to build relationships with their peers. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder often associated with reduced social skills, repetitive behavior and difficulty with communication. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 68 American children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), making it the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world. With such growth, it is imperative that educators continue to find means for these students to interact successfully with their peers as well as provide ways for individuals with ASD to share their ideas.

One social media platform with the power to provided these opportunities is Facebook. By removing the "face to face" component of interacting with others, Facebook can help alleviate anxiety and calm the nerves that individuals with Autism may feel when participating in social interactions. This, in turn, allows those students to connect with a wide range of other people and to allow their own, unique voice to be heard. Facebook is a great way for students with autism to connect with classmates in a low-pressure environment. As a child with Autism uses Facebook, they are in control of who they are "friends" with, who they communicate with, and who they share their lives with. Facebook allows the individual to play games, participate in group chats, see and share photos, and message privately. These opportunities are all benefits to a student who struggles with personal interaction in the classroom and at home. Students can also read about friends’ online and pick up details and information about friends that they may not be able to learn through face-to-face interaction. Students with autism can read up on others’ interests in order to have go-to topics in social settings.

For someone who has difficulty with non-verbal social cues, interacting online levels the playing field some. The social media site can actually help them build meaningful social relationships. They don't have to worry about missing social clues or making eye to eye contact. Additionally, it gives them time to process what they are seeing/hearing/reading and then formulate their own response. This results in boosting their confidence in sharing their own responses and ideas, which in turn, can boost their self-esteem. Students with Autism also struggle with understanding personal space and grasping the perspective of others in real time. Communicating on Facebook allows these pressures to lesson and translates to them feeling comfortable joining a conversation already in progress, as they can read (and re-read) the entire conversation before joining in.

Facebook is also a powerful tool for individuals with ASD to interact with others that are also on the autism spectrum. There are many online communities for students and their parents to get support and have a safe area on the Internet, but within Facebook, groups like AutismTalks are dedicated to being a safe area for those with autism to discuss life with autism. The community is very accepting and the administrator keeps a close eye on the discussion to make sure it stays positive. Having access to these communities who can relate to the struggles of Autism are invaluable to students and families who live with the challenges every day. Being able to access a safe place to share fears, challenges, and milestones that others may not understand creates a sense of community that we all long for. Facebook is true online support group to these individuals and their families.

Just like everyone else, those with autism can find groups to share their more obscure interests. Many with autism struggle with sharing their interests with others in person, but online they can find groups of people with the same interests. In this space, their seemingly endless knowledge is accepted and enjoyed. In this way, they can enjoy time with others that share their interests while actively interacting with others online.

Facebook is not without its challenges for those with ASD. Teaching students HOW to use Facebook and other social media platforms is important in order to encourage students with Autism to use is safely. In fact, according to one joint study by the University of Missouri and Washington University found that teens with autism were nearly five times form likely to engage in solitary activities than to utilize email, chatting, or other social offerings like Facebook. This is a problem because it means that these students are not socializing or developing other skills. With proper training and introduction, Autistic students will feel more comfortable using social media. On the other end of the scale, overuse can also become a problem. Online interaction does need to be done in moderation. Just like everyone else, too much time spent online is unhealthy for those with autism and could be the biggest barrier to its success. Privacy and security also need to be considered in these cases, and students need to be taught not to share too much personal information online. Cyberbullying is a very real problem for all students online, and it can be exacerbated for those with autism. Facebook can be a place where rumors start and are spread throughout the school. Students with Autism may have a more difficult time discerning what is true and what is fiction than others, thus causing confusion and problems. With the proper monitoring and guidance by parents and/or adults at home, Facebook can be an amazing tool and safe space for those with autism.

Resources: [] [] [] [] [] https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/01/27/teens-autism-email/14869/

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Schutz., S. J., Jacobs G., Schultz, J. (2013). A Promising Practice: Using Facebook as a Communication and Social Networking Tool. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 38-44. ======