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

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.